ATP Masters Miami: Hubert Hurkacz - Under the radar into the final
With his success over Andrey Rublev, Hubert Hurkacz made the sensational final at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami perfect. For his coach Craig Bynton, however, the rise of Poland was only a matter of time.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Apr 04, 2021, 08:29 am
It was a little more than a year ago that the first edition of the ATP Cup came to an extremely bitter end for the Austrian men. Dominic Thiem, at that time number four in the ATP charts, had to admit defeat in the second single against Poland in a high-class match against a certain Hubert Hurkacz. And couldn't really blame himself for anything after the defeat.
Because Hurkacz served well, acted extremely powerfully and at the same time solidly from the forehand and backhand side. It was probably one of the best performances in the 2020 calendar year by Hubert "Hubi" Hurkacz, who didn't really want to open the button afterwards. Now, in 2021, the 24-year-old seems to have finally got it, after winning the title in Delray Beach at the start of the year, the Pole played in his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Miami.
"Just let it happen"
The trainer of the world number 37th, the American Craig Boynton, has a decisive influence on these strong performances. "I had to speak to Hubi for a few days in a row before the tournament and I said to him: 'You just have to let things happen," Boynton told the ATP during the Miami tournament. "Just let it happen because you did the work."
Because the work in the Hurkacz team is quite tough, as Boynton emphasizes. In the last six weeks you would not have allowed yourself a single day off - with the exception of perhaps an arrival day. "And he brings these achievements to the field every day. But you just have to let go and let it come your way. Let the improvements come, let the work happen," emphasizes the American.
Hurkacz under the radar
And the pressure on the Poles from outside has also been limited in the last few weeks and months. No disadvantage, as instructor Boynton emphasizes: "The pressure is a little off, so to speak. You're not really on anyone's radar, nobody really has any expectations," explains the 57-year-old. "If you keep things mentally simple and only concentrate on a few things that you are working on, then these will be good. And then you get momentum," said the American.
The young Pole himself is in the same direction, after declaring at the press conference after his surprise victory over Andrey Rublev: "I think that I am in the moment now. I will now try to prepare as best I can for the final on Sunday." A final that the Pole will contest against a good friend on the tour was only a few days ago when he played alongside Jannik Sinner in the Dubai doubles competition.
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This is also reflected in the choice of words before the biggest final in the two young men's careers. Because in the run-up to the final, Hurkacz only had words of praise for his counterpart from South Tyrol: "Jannik is a great person. I think he's super, super calm and super chilled, and he's also a good person," said Hurkacz. "We joke with each other. We're good friends, so I wish him all the best."