A frustrated Hubert Hurkacz admitted he didn’t ‘play a good match’ after crashing out of the Australian Open in straight sets.
The 18th seed committed 38 unforced errors during his 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, loss to Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic who is currently ranked 34 places lower than him at 51st in the world. Hurkacz could only generate two break point opportunities which were both in the third set but failed to convert either of them.
It is the third Grand Slam in a row where the Pole has failed to win back-to-back matches. Last year at Wimbledon he was forced to retire from his second round match after injuring himself on the court. Then at the US Open, he was beaten in straight sets by Jordan Thompson which was also in the second round.
“I did not play a good match. I did not manage to reach the level I usually play at and want to be at,” Hurkacz said during an interview with Eurosport Poland.
“I tried the whole match, I fought to get into a rhythm. I had a chance in the third set for break points and I messed up easy balls that I usually do not mess up. I did not use these opportunities, and that would have definitely cheered me up.”
Hurkacz, who reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne 12 months ago, is set to drop out of the world’s top 20 as a result of his latest defeat. This will be the first time he has done so since 2021. He is currently coached on the Tour full-time by Nicolas Massu, as well as former World No. 1 Ivan Lendl,
Despite his early exit from Melbourne, the 27-year-old is focusing on the positives during his time down under.
“That’s why I play tennis, I love this sport,” he said.
“These moments like today are very hard and difficult. I fight and prepare every day. This is also a process that I go through to reach my highest level. It will take some time. I have a bad match behind me, but I also had a few good matches in Australia.”
Hurkacz’s record at major events currently stands at 36 wins against 27 losses.
