After a seven-month break due to knee surgery, Hubert Hurkacz has returned to the ATP Tour and discussed who he believes is the best player currently active. The Polish tennis player has already shown glimpses of his form by contributing alongside Iga Swiatek to Poland’s success at the United Cup. As Hurkacz aims to climb back up the rankings, he recently took part in the ATP 250 tournament in Montpellier, where he was asked to choose between two leading young players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Why Hurkacz Prefers Alcaraz Over Sinner
Hurkacz’s run in Montpellier was cut short when qualifier Martin Damm defeated him in the opening round. However, during his brief time at the event, Hurkacz engaged in a series of questions posted on the tournament’s social media, where he made several player comparisons. After initially selecting Jannik Sinner over veterans Andy Murray and Daniil Medvedev, Hurkacz was then asked to pick between Alcaraz and Sinner, regarded as the current top two players.
Choosing world number one and Australian Open winner Carlos Alcaraz, Hurkacz’s decision aligned with his head-to-head records. He holds two wins against Sinner but has yet to defeat Alcaraz in four attempts. This preference reflects his respect for Alcaraz’s recent performances and status within the sport.
Hurkacz’s Take on the Greatest Among The Big Three
The questioning continued with Hurkacz having to decide between Alcaraz and Roger Federer. He promptly favored Federer, a choice that matched his earlier picks of Federer over both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Interestingly, while Hurkacz has enjoyed some success against Federer and Nadal, he has faced greater challenges against Djokovic, remaining winless in their eight meetings.
Performance Review and Upcoming Challenge at Rotterdam
Hurkacz notably defeated Federer in the Swiss icon’s last Wimbledon appearance and has also led in head-to-head matches against Nadal. Despite these highlights, struggles against Djokovic underline the competitive hurdles still ahead for Hurkacz. Following his disappointing loss in Montpellier, Hurkacz now prepares for the Rotterdam Open next week, where he was a semifinalist last year before falling to Alcaraz. This upcoming tournament offers a crucial opportunity to regain momentum in his return to form.
