While many tennis players savor their off-season, relishing a respite from the grueling game, Hubert Hurkacz, the world No. 9 hailing from Wroclaw, Poland, has opted for a different path. Braving the bone-chilling winters of his hometown, where temperatures plummet below freezing and snow blankets the landscape, Hurkacz is immersed in an intense preseason training regimen.
While most tennis players are taking a break in the offseason, enjoying their time off after eleven months of playing grueling tennis, Hubert Hurkacz, the world’s 9th-ranked player from Poland, is doing something different. He’s working hard in his hometown, Wroclaw, where it gets super cold with lots of snow.
The Tennis Letter recently shared a captivating video on social media, with Hurkacz immersed in an intense preseason training regimen. The caption of his shared post read, “Hubi Hurkacz is having a very chilly preseason.” In the video, even though it’s as cold as 26.6°F (-3°C), Hurkacz is throttling at full speed on a snowclad road, breathing through an oxygen mask.
Hubi Hurkacz is having a very chilly preseason. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/gnKL5QVvYg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 28, 2023
While some fans have been in awe of this video, others have found it puzzling. One fan remarked, “The fact he didn’t slip over is impressive.” However, another fan questioned the rationale behind Hurkacz’s snowy workouts, considering his 2024 season will commence in the scorching heat. The fan pondered, “Why is he training in the snow when his next tournament will be in a blazing heat…under very humid conditions!”
The fact he didn’t slip over is impressive 😂
— Greg 🎾⚽️ (@GregCarterSport) November 28, 2023
Why is he training in the snow when his next tournament will be in Southern hemisphere, in a blazing heat…under very humid conditions!
— Bonginhlanhla (@Bongs_85) November 28, 2023
Nevertheless, undeterred by weather extremes in his hometown, Hurkacz, who clinched his second Masters ATP 1000 title in Shanghai this year, remains resolute in his preparation for the upcoming season. His unwavering dedication and commitment highlight his stature as one of the top pros in the world of tennis.
In a career first, Hubert Hurkacz makes tennis history with 1,000+ aces
Hubert Hurkacz is considered the best server in the current generation of tennis players by none other than the best returner in the history of the sport, Novak Djokovic, as he said post their Wimbledon match. It was no surprise when Hurkacz set a new standard in tennis by surpassing 1,000 aces in a single season, marking a significant milestone in his career in 2023.
He also became the sole player in 2023 to join the exclusive club of 1,000+ ace seasons. Expressing his excitement, In an interview with the ATP Tour, Hurkacz had said, “I’m really excited about hitting 1,000 aces this season…didn’t expect it at the beginning of the year, so definitely the serve has been working a little bit…really proud of the work with my team.”
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ and counting this season…
A remarkable achievement 👏#InfosysStats | #partner | #MoreATPWithInfosys pic.twitter.com/lO2Oge8EaU
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 1, 2023
Since 2019, no other player has hit 1000 aces on the tour in a season. Hurkacz’s remarkable feat puts him in elite company, joining the ranks of tennis giants like John Isner, Ivo Karlovic, and Kevin Anderson. Standing at 6’5″, Hurkacz also becomes the first player shorter than 6’8″ to achieve this feat since Milos Raonic in 2014. Hurkacz’s ace record solidifies his place among the game’s premier servers.