“I don’t understand it”- Polish Olympics committee president on Hubert Hurkacz’s Paris withdrawal ahead of anticipated campaign with Iga Swiatek

“I don’t understand it”- Polish Olympics committee president on Hubert Hurkacz’s Paris withdrawal ahead of anticipated campaign with Iga Swiatek

The Polish tennis squad featuring Iga Swiatek suffered a big blow as World No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to a knee injury. The 27-year-old suffered the injury during the second round of Wimbledon forcing him to withdraw in the match against Arthur Fils.

Swiatek, who was due to partner with Hurkacz in the mixed doubles, will now compete in the women’s singles and doubles. Jan Zielinksi was also set to team up with Hurkacz for the men’s doubles but will now miss the Olympics altogether.Radosław Piesiewicz, President of the Polish Olympic Committee, expressed his disappointment over Hubert Hurkacz’s decision and its impact on the Polish team. He said (via TVP Sport):

“We were counting on Hubert flying to the Olympics, getting his act together. We were in constant contact with the Polish Tennis Association. The message was that everything was going well and Hubert would be healthy. Yesterday, what happened happened. I called the manager right away. We talked, I made her realize how important it was for Hubert to be there. I was waiting for a return call with a decision. I never got it,”

“It’s (Hubert Hurkacz) and his team’s decision. I respect it, but I don’t understand it. Polish sport and Polish fans lose out on this. This is a huge loss. We keep our fingers crossed for Hubert to recover as soon as possible and fight for Slams, not medals anymore.”

Considered one of the best doubles players in the world, Jan Zielinksi partnered with Hsieh Su-wei and clinched the Wimbledon 2024 title in mixed doubles, their second Grand Slam mixed doubles win of the year after the Australian Open.

The 27-year-old will now miss the chance to participate in Paris as he was set to partner with Hurkacz to form a strong duo for the men’s doubles.

“I feel sorry for Jan Zieliński the most. I had the opportunity to meet him, I was at Wimbledon, I saw him play. He is a fantastic man. I must admit that I slept only an hour today,” Piesiewicz added.

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Poland will now be unable to field players for men’s doubles as well as mixed doubles in Paris as Iga Swiatek and Janik Zieliński are left without a partner. Swiatek cannot partner with Zielinksi as he is not ranked high enough in singles to participate in mixed doubles, as per the Olympics rule.

After Hubert Hurkacz’s withdrawal, Iga Swiatek chases glory in singles at Paris Olympics

Iga Swiatek at Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Previews – Getty Images

Iga Swiatek at Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Previews – Getty Images

Iga Swiatek will miss mixed doubles play with no partner in sight to replace Hubert Hurkacz, but the five-time Grand Slam winner will be determined to clinch a gold in the women’s singles as she enters the tournament as the heavy favorite.

Swiatek faced an early exit in the third round of Wimbledon against Yulia Putintseva but will now eye Olympic glory in Paris. The World No. 1 has won four French Open titles and will be eager to continue her dominant display on the clay courts in Paris.Swiatek has had a phenomenal season on red courts and is currently on a 19-match winning streak on clay as she enters the tournament as the top seed. The likes of Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka will be looking to end Swiatek’s dominance on clay as the hunt for gold begins in Paris.