Reigning Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz has revealed that he grew up idolizing Roger Federer and was drawn to tennis after watching him play on television.

In an interview with a Polish publication, the 24-year-old Polish star said that he first saw the 20-time Grand Slam champion play when he was about eight or nine years old, or even younger.

Hubert Hubert reveals that he was drawn to tennis after Roger Federer in action

“Yes, Roger is my idol. I think I saw his first game when I was about eight or nine. Maybe even a little earlier,” Hurkacz said.

He added that he still remembers thinking at the time how much he enjoyed watching the Swiss in action and how he hoped to be like him someday.

Trending

Roger Federer Breaks Partnership With Billion Dollar Worth Italian Brand Days After Coco Gauff’s Stunning Commercial Appearance

April 12, 2024 07:23 PM EDT

Coco Gauff’s Coach’s Desperate Plea Goes for a Toss Despite a Series of Controversies at Monte-Carlo Masters

April 15, 2024 12:15 PM EDT

Tennis News: Rafael Nadal Confirms Retirement ; Doping-Banned Mikael Ymer Announces Comeback; Stefanos Tsitsipas Dubbed as Hypocrite

April 15, 2024 06:22 PM EDT

‘Nobody Cares..’- ‘Jealous’ Coco Gauff Can’t Tolerate People Raving About Coachella as Tennis Duties Take Precedence

April 14, 2024 07:23 PM EDT

Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Girlfriend Paula Badosa Pulls up Charming ‘Destiny’ Message From the Past as Beau Gears up for History at Monte-Carlo

April 14, 2024 12:30 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“I remember that I really enjoyed his game from the very beginning,” the Pole said.

He lived a boyhood dream when he finally went face-to-face with his idol, and that too on the opposite ends of a tennis court, at Indian Wells 2019.

However, the quarter-final tie didn’t end well for the affable, soft-spoken Pole as he went down 4-6, 4-6 to the Swiss.

That has been his only head-to-head battle with Federer to this date.

His career, though, took a northward shift after his biggest championship win at Miami.

Hubert Hurkacz took down Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev in successive matches to win maiden Masters 1000 in Miami

Hurkacz recorded stunning, back-to-back upset victories over World No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas and the eighth-ranked Russian Andrey Rublev to set up a title showdown with hugely-talented 19-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner.

Sinner did push the Pole to a tie-break in the opening set of the tournament final but the latter prevailed.

Going up a gear in the second set, the 24-year-old secured a decisive break of serve and held his own to eventually lift his maiden Masters 1000 title with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 win.

The successful campaign saw him race up the rankings and break into the Top-20 for the first time.

Read More: Hubert Hurkacz beats Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem to This Incredible Feat After Miami Open 2021 Victory

He is currently ranked No.16 in singles.