Inside Hubert Hurkacz’s tireless comeback after ‘not being able to move’ | ATP Tour
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Inside Hurkacz’s tireless comeback after ‘not being able to move’
The 29-year-old will compete in the Cap Cana Challenger this week
March 12, 2026
MercaFilms
Hubert Hurkacz signs autographs at this week’s Cap Cana Challenger in the Dominican Republic.
Written by Grant Thompson
The quiet, repetitive grind that happens far from visible is part of the recovery from injury that most people never experience.
For Hubert Hurkacz, coming back from knee surgery required a relentless process, involving more than a month of 10- to 12-hour days dedicated to rehabilitation, fitness and recovery.
The 29-year-old had surgery on his right knee in July and when he returned to the Tour earlier this year, Hurkacz was looking for his best form. If Hurkacz’s hard work during the rehab is any indication, his return to top form is not a question of if, but when.
“It was a period where the schedule was intense for many months, until the middle of November,” Hurkacz told ATPTour.com at the ATP Challenger 175 event in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. “We started practice around 8:30, 9 and we did fitness and tennis after that.
“Then we were in the clinic for about five hours on average, then yoga, stretching, eating something, some mental work, visualization. That’s what my week looks like from Monday to Saturday.”
Competing this week at the Republica Dominicana Open – Copa Cap Cana, Hurkacz’s first ATP Challenger appearance since 2019, the Pole’s hard work was part of the challenge. There was also a battle of wits. Hurkacz had to wait patiently for developments.
“For a few months you didn’t see any progress even though you did so much work,” said Hurkacz. “There are times when doubts enter and you don’t even know if you will be able to come back and compete.
“That was a challenge, but I think my mindset helps me a lot in those situations because I can work hard and I don’t need a lot of rest. There are times when you hope that it will be better. I wake up with hope and hope, then you go to the court and try to do things, but in reality it’s not there – you don’t move and you feel pain and the next day you feel pain. The right things or if you just need to be more patient.”
The former World No. 6 described his recovery period as “very busy”, although he had already booked a holiday in Croatia. At first, Hurkacz’s work included pool exercises.
“I couldn’t play tennis, I couldn’t move at all,” said Hurkacz. “Depending on the time, there were different jobs we were doing.”
Hurkacz returned to the Tour at the United Cup in memorable fashion, leading Poland to the title in the mixed team event. He won four of his five singles matches that week, including two Top 10 victories over Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz.
Before Hurkacz’s days as a well-known professional tennis player, he was building his foundation on the ATP Challenger circuit, collecting important points that would help launch his rise. Hurkacz has won three ATP Challenger titles since 2018-19.
“Winning my first Challenger title in Poland, in Poznan, that’s a great memory,” said Hurkacz. “That was a big title for me, it helped me to be 120 in the rankings and brought me closer to being in the Top 100. That goal was a success after that competition.
“After that, I won the Challenger in Brest, France [in 2018] and it helped me qualify for the Final of the Next Gen. That was an amazing memory, especially because I needed to do well to have a chance to qualify.”
Now Hurkacz is pursuing success in a new way in his first Challenger appearance in nearly seven years.
“The most important thing is to be healthy and we were able to do that,” said Hurkacz. “I feel like I need more games, especially winning ones.
“My level hasn’t changed much yet, but I don’t feel too far from it, so we’re putting in the work every day and enjoying the competition.”
