ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 15, 2023

Hubert Hurkacz

Press Conference

H. HURKACZ/A. Rublev

6-3, 3-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Hubi, congrats on your second Masters 1000 title. Was that the most exciting finish of a match that you've ever played?

HUBERT HURKACZ: I think so. I definitely think so. It's the final of Masters Series, and we both have match points in the tiebreaker. We're just battling, you know, we both have some chances, so definitely it was just, yeah, just so exciting and just, you know, super pumped at the end to battle and win that last point.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congratulations, Hubi. What was on your mind, especially during the final couple of points facing match point, you know, in the tiebreak? What were you going through?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Well, you know, just trying to tell myself what to do during that, you know, the points, where to play and, you know, to stay committed and to trust my shots and, you know, just fight and just battle.

Q. Congratulations. The social media in China is talking about how big effort you put into write xièxiè, because we know it's a very hard character to write.

HUBERT HURKACZ: Did I make it right or no (laughing)?

Q. Yeah, it's pretty good. Yeah, very impressive. Tell us, how do you practice it?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Well, it just took couple of hours, but, no, (laughing). No, I was just trying to memorize how to write it, and it's not easy. Yeah, I mean, it's just really, you know, especially for us, it's a difficult language. Yeah, I just wanted to give thanks for just amazing support that I had throughout the whole week, whole almost two weeks here and, yeah, to thank the Chinese fans.

Q. Hubi, congratulations. You added to an amazing record in finals, and you also maintained a lot of calm out there in that match. I was just wondering if you could talk through how you managed the emotions of such a big occasion.

HUBERT HURKACZ: I mean, you know, Andrey was playing some really good tennis, and I knew, you know, I got to produce the shots, so I was just trying to stay out there and compete as hard as I could and, you know, to keep positive self-talk and then keep the belief until the end. At the end of the day, it's a final, and you want to just give it all you got out there.

Q. Amazing trophy. Congratulations again. Two Chinese characters, actually, that's quite a big progress from writing just a combination of letters to actually two Chinese characters. Could you talk about your efforts or maybe, like, the whole set in the stadium, the third time's a charm, winning the title here a third time trip in China, so your efforts to try to write the letters and try to learn a language, try to learn a culture, how is that going to help you to maybe build a better connection with fans here or maybe the city here?

HUBERT HURKACZ: No, I mean, obviously, it's my third trip here and, you know, I'm already really successful winning the title here, so just super excited. I hope, you know, I'll have more time in the future to explore and see Shanghai. It has so many things to see and it's really beautiful.

Yeah, the fans were just really amazing cheering, you know, and waiting for the pictures after the matches. I was just trying to give a little bit from my side as well, you know, to stay with them and, you know, say a few words. But yeah, just the fans were really incredible, and I'm just thankful for them to coming, and hopefully, they enjoyed the show that we put on today with Andrey.

Q. Congratulations. You have a chance to be qualified for the Turin Masters, so is it an expectation for you?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Well, I mean, coming to this couple of weeks, you know, starting here in Shanghai, you know, I knew if I got to give myself a chance, I need to be winning tournaments, so, you know, that's a pretty good start.

I mean, just amazing week here in Shanghai. I really enjoyed it here with the team, but ultimately, we just want to get better every single day and improve, enjoy those moments, but yeah, you know, we're just going to try our best and then just keep fighting and keep competing.

Q. Congrats, Hubi. It's a very tight schedule, and you're going to play in Tokyo next week. The first opponent is Zhang again. Can you talk a bit how hard it is to play the same opponent two weeks in a row?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I mean, we had a battle here, and then he's such an amazing player. He's been playing some incredible tennis, you know, and definitely, you know, his game's been on the rise, so it's going to be challenging. Unfortunately, like in tennis, you win the tournament, you're definitely so happy, you get the confidence, but the next week you're just flying to another place and you try to, you know, build a routine out there and just prepare as good as you can for your next match.

Q. Hubi, what was it like to join such a great list of champions and also to compete in front of Roger Federer today?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yes, no, you know, the tournament, there's so many champions won it in the past and so many amazing players, and in my speech, I was, like, trying to thank everyone. I forgot to mention Roger, thanks for coming, so, yeah, sorry for that. Hopefully, he won't take it personally (smiling), but definitely, you know, fun to play in front of him. Hopefully he enjoyed a little bit and, yeah, just so excited.

Q. So could you talk about the total impression of the city and the tournament this year?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Yeah, I mean, you know, the tournament director, Michael and Charles, they made great effort. They always, you know, make great effort to communicate with the players that there's a new gym, that the areas are bigger and better. Just, you know, the tournament, it's a really, really well-organized tournament, and I think they're doing just an unbelievable job here.

To be honest, I wish I had seen more of the city other than just coming here practicing, playing, so definitely, you know, I would love to see a little bit more and explore a little bit of Shanghai.

Q. Hubi, you mentioned earlier that because this is the first year, Shanghai Masters has 96 draw, it was not good, you know, in general, to players. So if you have a say to change or improve the draw or some of the rules, what would you say?

HUBERT HURKACZ: Well, I think, you know, it's definitely, you know, it's a bit longer event. I mean, we really enjoy being here. I mean, I like the draw it was, you know, in the past was 54, I believe, so it was really amazing back then.

Now it's even tougher to win this kind of event, you know, 96 players, everyone wanting to win, everyone wanting to really battle and compete.

THE MODERATOR: All right, thank you very much. Well done again.

HUBERT HURKACZ: Thank you.