ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 12, 2023

Hubert Hurkacz

Press Conference

H. HURKACZ/F. Marozsan

4-6, 6-1, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the press conference of Hubert Hurkacz.

First off, congratulations, Hubi. This is your sixth ATP Masters 1000 semifinal, and your first in Shanghai. How would you summarize your performance this week in Shanghai?

HUBERT HURKACZ: I mean, definitely really pleased with my performance. You know, we've been putting a lot of effort into the preparation here and, yeah, I mean, every single match has been really challenging and tricky. Fortunately, I was able to come through those challenges, and looking forward for the next one.

THE MODERATOR: Any questions in English?

Q. Hubi, congratulations. This is a back-to-back Masters semifinal for you. What is it about these events that you sort of lift up for?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Well, I mean, usually like in the past years I was doing pretty decent in those events. This year, I was also struggling, I was losing quite early in all of them. I played some very good tennis in Cincinnati, and now doing it here.

So just, you know, usually just, yeah, you know, it just brings, it's only the best players that are playing here, and the competition is really strong. Yeah, you just got to perform really great to be in it and compete here.

Q. Also, two three-set matches, do you feel that sort of helps you develop your game as the tournament progresses?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I think so. Definitely there is plenty of time to rest in between the matches, and I think, you know, those matches I was also really pushed mentally. I was trying to battle for a lot of things, and became successful, so definitely those things build you up.

Q. Are you able to comment on either meeting Shelton or Korda in the semifinal?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I mean, you know, Sebi and Ben are obviously some really great players. They both have had a lot of success in the past.

Ben is a bit newer to the tour, but he put up some pretty amazing results, first at the Aussie Open, and then the US Open. You know, his massive serve and really aggressive game style, it's not easy to play against.

Obviously Sebi, you know, he just hits the ball super clean, he's really aggressive, and just, yeah, he's just a really great player, great competitor. Yeah, they are both really great guys, so hopefully they will have a fun match tonight.

Q. Congratulations for making to the semis. As one of the so-called, like, super Masters here in Shanghai, because including Shanghai, I think we have three more Masters extended, upgraded into the 96-player draw format. Could you talk about how you feel about having to compete, like, more, a longer extended Masters tournaments throughout the season? You competed in all of the 96-man format tournaments this year already, and as far as when it's going to be more, like, down the line to be included into that kind of category, do you feel like it's a bonus for the players to play like a bigger Masters, or is it more challenging for you guys to arrange your schedule or something like that?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, to be honest, I think, you know, talking to other players, I think we, I mean, we don't really need the days off in between the events. We enjoy the 54 format. I think that was, you know, that was good for us.

But, yeah, so it's definitely, you know, especially, if you do well, it's really good. It's a little bit more challenging if you don't do that well, because with the traveling and the timing in between the tournaments, it's just longer.

Q. Congratulations. So, I noticed that in the final set, one game you show up your racquet. Could you share your feeling about that moment?

HUBERT HURKACZ: The third set?

Q. That moment that you show up your racquet, the final set, and could you share the feeling about at that moment? Is it some kind of a key point for you to win that and to boost your confidence?

HUBERT HURKACZ: I don't think so, but, I mean, Fabian was playing some really amazing tennis, and we're both battling as hard as we could.

Definitely I think, you know, that long rally was, you know, helped me to build up my confidence, and also put some more pressure on him, so he knows, you know, that he's got to battle, hit many, many good shots to win a rally against me. I think that was a really important moment for the match.

THE MODERATOR: All right. Thank you.

HUBERT HURKACZ: Thank you very much. Thank you.