ATP's World No. 7, Hubert Hurkacz, won't be able to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, withdrawing from the Olympic tournament.
The Polish player, like every athlete, hoped to compete at the Olympic Games, but unfortunately, his most recent injury will not allow him to make an appearance at Roland Garros, where the tennis competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be played.
Hurkacz has been having a solid year, and this year, he even won his first Tour-level clay title in Estoril, showing the progress he made on the surface, making him a threat at the Olympics, especially, since he's been able to finish the year in the Top 10 for the past three years.
However, his year took a bitter turn at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. In the first round of the grass-court major, the 27-year-old bested Radu Albot 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, before being forced to retire in his second-round match, down a match point to Arthur Fils, 6-7(2), 4-6, 6-2, 6-6(8-9).
It came after the Polish player dived for a ball and injured his leg. He then attempted to continue playing, but after shockingly diving for one of the balls again, making him unable to compete.
Since then, not a lot was known about his condition and whether he would be able to make it to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was set to compete in all three competitions, singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, with the WTA's World No. 1, Iga Swiatek.
Hurkacz and Swiatek have even played multiple mixed doubles matches together this year to prepare for the Olympic Games, but now, Hurkacz provided an injury update, which was both positive, but also disappointing for his and Polish fans.
"I wanted to sincerely thank you for all your wonderful messages. The support I receive from you means a lot to me. My rehabilitation is going very well, and I am making continuous progress."
While saying that he made progress on his injury recovery, suggesting that he may be back on the ATP Tour for the hard-court swing in the North America, the Polish player also announced that he wouldn't be able to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"However, my team and I have decided that I am not able to compete in the Olympic Games in Paris. This was a very, very difficult decision, because I have always dreamed of representing Poland at the Olympics, being able to win a medal for the national team."
Like every athlete, Hurkacz dreamed of representing Poland, even though the clay courts at Roland Garros were never a successful ground for him, never going past the fourth round in the French capital.
"But unfortunately, my health does not allow it this year. Of course, I will be watching and cheering for the entire Polish team and following their performances, wishing them as many medals as possible."
This withdrawal also directly impacts his compatriot Swiatek, who most likely won't be able to play in the mixed doubles competition now.
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