Hurkacz delves into his meniscus surgery and his meteoric return to the circuit

Mónica Barberán Munera | 16 Aug 2024 | 12.57

Hubert Hurkacz in 2024. Photo: Getty

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After injuring his meniscus at Wimbledon, doctors predicted a return to the courts for the Australian Open. However, Hubert Hurkacz defied science, and a few weeks after his surgery, the Pole returned to compete on the courts of Montreal. There he managed to win two matches before falling to the eventual winner, Alexei Popyrin. Despite the loss, Hurkacz was very happy to have been able to return earlier than expected and, above all, without any knee discomfort.

Now, the Pole also claimed his first victory at the Cincinnati ATP, from where he chatted with Tennis Channel about his physical condition. The Pole admitted that his knee is really fine and detailed the surgical procedure he underwent. Thus, as training is not the same as competing, Hubert shared how his experience was in Montreal during that first match after his return.

- How do you feel?

"The knee is actually fine. With my physio and my fitness trainer, we have spent these weeks 100% focused on making a comeback, so you really appreciate being back. Because when the season is in progress, you go from one place to another, and you don't have a moment for a break to appreciate who you are and what you are doing. Just being here, seeing so many fans and competing again on the court means a lot."

- Is your composure on the court key to helping you in certain difficult moments of the match?

"Yes, I believe so. And I also believe that the injury has given me a different perspective, and I enjoy myself more on the court. I think I could be even mentally stronger than before. When I reach my game at a really good level again, I am going to be dangerous."

- What type of meniscus operation did you undergo?

"Basically at Wimbledon, getting up from a fall, my leg was in a weird position. I tore the meniscus in two points, I heard two snaps. I hoped the bone had come out of place and would return, but well, I played the next point. It didn't look good, so I had an MRI the same day, and it looked very bad.

There are two ways to proceed: you can trim the meniscus, meaning remove the damaged part, or you can repair it. I realized that the best decision was to trim it and move on. I am grateful for all the doctors' opinions; most told me to repair it, but with the team, we decided that the best way was to remove it. I would be ready for the Australian Open, but there is no guarantee that it won't happen again. After the surgery, a few hours later on the same day, I was already starting to walk and put pressure on the leg."

- Training is not the same as playing a real match

"Going to Montreal, I didn't know what to expect. The wounds weren't completely healed, and there was a bit of fluid coming out in the first few days, but I also needed the green light from my team. The muscles have to be stronger than they were before, and I think they are quite good, which is a good thing."

"You get to the first match, and you don't know how it's going to go because in training, it's different. When you get to the matches, you give it your all and start building more and more confidence. In that first match, I was sliding with the leg and felt good and confident with each game, and then I managed to win it somehow."

- A quicker recovery and return than expected

"It was really amazing for me to be back because it was quite a fast return. Just after the surgery, a little over three weeks later, I was walking. Then I had to play the next match on the same day and the next day as well. I had to play two matches, something I will always remember. You try to go out without expectations and to get and say: 'okay, I will be happy to play a match, and if my knee doesn't hurt, then I am fine, and I will take it well'".

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Hurkacz profundiza sobre su operación de menisco y su meteórica vuelta al circuito