Polish Legend Compares Hubert Hurkacz with Swiatek’s Characteristics, Murray’s Game Style and Federer’s Personality

A sincere and whole-hearted trier in the professional circuit, rising Pole Hubert Hurkacz may have taken a quantum leap in his career with a run to the final at the ongoing Miami Open.

In two of his biggest Tour wins back-to-back, the 24-year-old upset World Number 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas and the eighth-ranked Andrey Rublev in the quarters and the semi-final to set up a championship clash against emerging Italian, Jannik Sinner.

Polish legend Wojtek Fibak says Hubert Hurkacz’s court mobility is similar to that of Iga Swiatek

Hurkacz’s exploits haven’t gone unnoticed back home as Polish tennis stalwart Wojtek Fibak, the only player from his country to break into the Top-10 in both singles and doubles, has marked him out as one with rosy prospects going forward.

Individual aspects of Hurkacz’s game have left a deep impression on Fibak, so much so that he has drawn direct comparisons with compatriot Iga Swiatek, three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray, and even a certain Roger Federer.

He said that Hurkacz’s remarkable run to his maiden Masters 1000 final is an “adventure” that has his whole country chanting his name and building big dreams around him.

In an interview with atptour.com, Fibak said that he has always maintained that Hurkacz is similarly talented as Swiatek, who was the toast of the country after lifting her maiden Grand Slam title at last year’s French Open.

The 19-year-old became the first from her homeland to win a Major and also the youngest since Monica Seles to lift the championship title at Roland-Garros.

Fibtek said he is a fast mover on the court like Swiatek with a great forehand and backhand to boot.

“He moves like Iga on the court…All the characteristics of Iga fit Hubert,” the legend said, adding that he sees the same potential in him as he saw in the 19-year-old.

Legend says watching Hubert Hurkacz at the junior French Open reminded him of Andy Murray

Into his eighth year in the professional circuit, Hurkacz has two Tour titles to his credit, the second of which he picked up at the Delray Beach event this year.

Fibak said he still remembers watching Hurkacz playing junior Grand Slam at the Roland-Garros and how much the Pole’s playing style reminded him of Murray.

“I remember just the way he walked, like a basketball player. I thought of Andy Murray…he had great defense and great hands, but he wasn’t as consistent then,” the legend recalled.

He said that while he hopes that Hurkacz will eventually rise to be in the Top-5, Top-3 or even “a leader”, he also wants him to not get carried away with success and stay humble and grounded as he is now.

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“Some people proved it (is possible), like Federer, (Milos) Raonic is a gentleman, he always loses the same way he wins,” said the legend, adding that he sees similar unstated charm and grace in Hurkacz as well as his Miami co-finalist Jannik Sinner.