Hubert Hurkacz just pulled out of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, adding another big name to the growing list of ATP stars who won’t be playing this year.
This one really hurts for tennis fans. Hurkacz has one of the most dangerous games on grass courts in the world.
He proved that back in 2021 when he made it all the way to the semifinals. Only Matteo Berrettini stopped him there, and Berrettini was playing absolutely lights-out tennis at the time.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hubert Hurkacz | 28 | 3,995 | 29 - 12 |
So Close to Beating Djokovic
The Polish player came incredibly close to pulling off a huge upset against Novak Djokovic in 2023. He had real chances to win the first two sets but lost both of them 6-8 in tiebreaks.
That’s got to hurt. Hurkacz eventually lost the match 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 4-6, but he showed he could go toe-to-toe with one of the greatest players ever.
Unfortunately, last year’s Wimbledon ended in disaster for the 28-year-old. He had to retire in the second round against Arthur Fils after tearing his right meniscus – that’s a piece of cartilage in the knee joint that’s pretty crucial for movement.
The Long Road Back
That injury required surgery, and doctors initially thought he’d be out for several months.
Hurkacz actually came back way sooner than anyone expected at the 2024 Canadian Open. But he’s had some bumps in the road since then.
Another flare-up related to his surgery is what’s forcing him out of Wimbledon this year. The two-time Masters 1000 champion broke the disappointing news in a statement, admitting he had to listen to his body even though it was a really tough decision.
"Over the past few weeks, you’ve seen me on court through both the highs and the more challenging moments. Unfortunately, today I have to share some difficult news. After careful consideration and consultation with my team, we have made the decision to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon."
"During my preparations, my body reacted with irritation of the synovial membrane. This is a part of the ongoing recovery process following my recent surgery and requires rest and appropriate treatment. It is not easy to step away from such a prestigious tournament. But I know this is the right decision for my long-term health and performance."
The synovial membrane is basically the lining inside joints that helps them move smoothly. When it gets irritated, it’s no joke.
A Growing List of Missing Stars
Hurkacz isn’t the only big name who won’t be at SW19 this year. Casper Ruud withdrew just a few days ago because he couldn’t recover in time from a knee injury he picked up at the French Open.
Ruud’s never been comfortable on grass anyway – the three-time Grand Slam runner-up has never made it past the second round at Wimbledon. But missing any of the four major tournaments is still disappointing for any player.
Nick Kyrgios won’t be making his return to Wimbledon either after suffering another setback in his injury recovery. The 2022 runner-up was hoping to make his first appearance at the All England Club since reaching that final.
Kyrgios has been battling long-term wrist and knee injuries. He only played one match in 2023 and 2024 combined, and even after returning this season, his wrist keeps giving him problems.
His future in singles tennis is looking pretty uncertain at this point.
More Withdrawals Pile Up
Kei Nishikori is another player who worked incredibly hard to come back from a long-term injury, only to suffer another setback. His Wimbledon withdrawal got overshadowed by him publicly admitting he cheated on his wife – talk about bad timing.
Sebastian Korda also pulled out. Two years ago, the American actually considered himself one of the favorites for Wimbledon.
Since then? He’s lost in the first round twice and now can’t even play this year.
It’s shaping up to be a Wimbledon with some notable absences, but that might just open the door for other players to make their mark on the famous grass courts.
