Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz set to bring Polish tennis to the forefront

Poland is not a country considered a traditional tennis powerhouse, but rising stars Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz have given the European nation a big tennis boost.
Of course, there have been some great Polish players over the years and the best was arguably Agnieszka Radwanska, a former world No 2 and runner-up at Wimbledon in 2012.
Despite her popularity and evident talent, Radwanska was never quite able to break through and win a Grand Slam. Neither was Jadwiga Jędrzejowska, a runner-up at three majors in the late 1930s.
Meanwhile, whilst the likes of Jerzy Janowicz and Lukas Kubot had some success on the ATP Tour in the past decade or so, neither was able to consistently reach great heights.
However, with Swiatek and Hurkacz things could be very exciting for Polish tennis in the years to come.
Swiatek catapulted into the limelight following her incredible run to the French Open title last October, and it is hard to imagine a world where she does not win more big titles in the future.
🥏It has been announced some time ago but because of pandemic I got my trophy in Miami. Isn’t it nice? Thank you @wta for the recognition and this beautiful frisbee (plate).
2020 WTA Most Improved Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/N9TdTsyHS0
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) April 6, 2021
Having been ranked outside of the top 50 before her triumph at Roland Garros, the 19-year-old is now ranked 16th and picked up a second career title at the Adelaide International in February.
She is a supremely talented player with very few weaknesses in her game and great variety, and she is capable of success on all surfaces.
Despite being a few years older than his compatriot, 24-year-old Hurkacz has revealed he has taken inspiration from Swiatek following her recent success.
Speaking at the Miami Open, he said: “I was super proud of Iga. What she has done at the French Open was amazing.
“I think that gave the belief for us, for me, myself and the younger player in Poland that it’s possible to win those big titles.”
Now, Hurkacz has matched Swiatek’s ranking of 16th on the ATP following his run to the title in Miami.
Hubert Hurkacz is the first 🇵🇱 to win an ATP Masters 1000 singles title!@HubertHurkacz | #MiamiOpen
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 4, 2021
The men’s draw at the Masters 1000 Miami Open was certainly open, with several notable withdrawals beforehand, and it was the Pole who took the golden opportunity presented to him.
That does not mean that he had an easy run to the final. He beat sixth seed Denis Shapovalov in the third round, before rallying from a set down to beat Milos Raonic in the fourth round and from a set and a break down to beat second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight.
His win over Tsitsipas was one of the biggest of his career, and he backed that up by beating Andrey Rublev in the last four before overcoming young gun Jannik Sinner to win the third – and by far the biggest – title of his career.
Hurkacz was the underdog in all his matches from the third round onwards, and his wins after that stage show that he is not only incredibly talented but also mentally tough.
He had struggled after winning his second career title in Delray Beach in January, losing in the first round of the Australian Open, but this victory at a Masters 1000 event will surely provide a huge boost for him.
Still only 24, Hurkacz has not attracted as much attention as the likes of Tsitsipas and Rublev, but he has now won a Masters title before either of them and there is no reason why he can’t match their achievements and reach the top 20.
Both Hurkacz and Swiatek have made significant breakthroughs over the past few months and have given themselves the platform to push on even further.
Outside of their big triumphs, they have comparatively few points to defend so the opportunity is certainly there for them to push on even further up the rankings.
Whether that will be the case remains to be seen, but it is hard to bet against them inspiring the next generation of Polish tennis players.
Follow Oli Jefford on Twitter @odicksonjefford.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
News
Nick Kyrgios roadshow rumbles on at Wimbledon as he beats Stefanos Tsitsipas in bad-tempered thriller
Nick Kyrgios knocked out Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal sees off Lorenzo Sonego and insists there was nothing ‘spicy’ about net conversation
Rafael Nadal marches on at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Iga Swiatek philosophical after her incredible streak ends with Wimbledon exit
Iga Swiatek seeing her glass as half full.
-
Wimbledon
Cameron Norrie on facing Tommy Paul at Wimbledon: ‘Good friends off the court, but it’s going to be a battle’
Norrie takes on his practice partner in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Alize Cornet after snapping Iga Swiatek’s 37-match winning streak: ‘Good wine always ages well’
Alize Cornet is aging like a fine wine as the veteran upset Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Amanda Anisimova sees off Coco Gauff at Wimbledon for ‘most special day of my career’
Gauff failed to make the fourth round on her third appearance at the Championships.
-
Wimbledon
Impressive Alex De Minaur ends Liam Broady’s Wimbledon journey in third round
World No132 joined compatriot Katie Boulter in bowing out on day six of the Championships.
-
Wimbledon
Katie Boulter ’emotionally drained’ as she admits Harmony Tan match was ‘one step too far for me’
It has been an emotional week for Boulter following the death of her grandmother.
-
Wimbledon
Tatjana Maria keeps daughter happy with Wimbledon run, but hopes to help next generation of WTA moms
The mum-of-two beat Maria Sakkari to secure a maiden fourth-round appearance at a major.
-
Wimbledon
Harmony Tan juggernaut rolls on as she ends Katie Boulter’s fine Wimbledon run in 51 minutes
Katie Boulter was outplayed by Harmony Tan in just 51 minutes.