WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 18, 2021

Hubert Hurkacz

Press Conference

H. HURKACZ/A. Murray

7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Can you talk about the match? Seemed like a very tight first set. You raised your level towards the end, as well.

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I mean, playing here against Andy, it's always very tough. I mean, he's a great competitor, have done such unbelievable things throughout his whole career. That was a very tough match.

It was a tight first set. I ended up winning in the tiebreaker, so that gave me some, you know, extra, extra confidence in the second set.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you just talk how you have been having this really good year, just how your level of your game has risen, what it's like to have these good results? If you could just take a moment and talk about that.

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I mean, we have been working with my coach, CB, for, I mean, like couple of years already, but the work we have been doing every single day, last year as well, we have been working very hard.

I think just that's a process and I'm improving my game. I try to get better every single day. Yeah, I mean, that helps.

Q. Andy was just talking about a very general concept of decision-making in tennis. What have been some of the most important decisions you have made in your career over the years, just one or two important decisions that you've made?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I mean, I'm super fortunate to have such a great coach. That's I think the decision that makes a huge difference, to have someone really experienced, very knowledgeable, and also like that understands you as a person.

Q. You must be very happy the way you played, especially with your first serves.

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yes, I mean, I played very good today. I served well, so that helped me in the tougher situations. So that was super, super important for me.

Q. This is super special. You have had so many wins and good wins over Roger, over Andy. How do you feel now this year coming to Cincinnati and being ready for the Open?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I think my confidence is building up. I think my game has improved and also mental understanding of the game. So I think these things, the wins gave me a lot of confidence and belief in myself.

Q. You talked about your mental game improving. Can you just go a little deeper on that? How has that improved?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I think it's also like about the understanding of the game, understanding my emotions, and what should I do in different situations that happen on the court and also, you know, just try to be focused and be ready for every single point.

Q. You seem so, I don't know, pretty happy. Even after you lost last week, you had that great smile. Do you get a lot of joy out of tennis?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I really enjoy playing tennis, being on tour with the top guys. So that's super nice.

I mean, I have been playing tennis since I was a young kid, so now being able to play on the biggest stages, it's a lot of fun.