Hubert Hurkacz could be a real threat at the Australian Open this year.
Hurkacz ended his 2025 season in June last year, after struggling with a knee injury that he underwent surgery on.
The former top 10 player’s absence from the ATP Tour had a dramatic impact, with Hurkacz falling to his lowest ranking in six years.
Now, as the world number 83, Hurkacz has returned like he never left and could be a real threat at the first Grand Slam of the year.
Hubert Hurkacz could be a real threat at the Australian Open
At his first tournament in seven months, Hurkacz has beaten Alexander Zverev and Tallon Griekspoor when representing Poland at the United Cup.
Both of these victories for Hurkacz have been in straight sets, with Zverev the fourth highest-ranked win of his career.
Which country do you think will win the United Cup?
Often players can struggle when returning to tennis, as they look to replicate the form they showed prior to getting injured, but that has certainly not been the case for Hurkacz.
Instead, Hurkacz has returned with a sense of freeness, as he is now the hunter rather than the hunted.
This could be a real danger at the Australian Open, with Hurkacz’s huge serve likely to make him a huge threat.
As a result of Hurkacz’s hugely impressive start to the year, there will likely be even more eyes when the Australian Open draw takes place.
With Hurkacz’s ranking drop meaning he is no longer a seeded player, he could face anyone from Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the first round.
While they will likely still be the favorite for this match, this would be a far from ideal first match of the year for both Alcaraz and Sinner.
Who is your dark horse for the 2026 Australian Open?
What is Hubert Hurkacz’s best result at the Australian Open?
Not only has Hurkacz’s form at the start of the 2026 season made him a real dark horse for the Australian Open, but it is also his second best Grand Slam tournament in terms of previous results.
Hurkacz achieved his best result at the Australian Open in 2024, when he made it all the way to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev.
After suffering a surprise second round last year, Hurkacz will no doubt be determined to make it further at his first Grand Slam tournament since the French Open.
| Year | Huber Hurkacz’s Australian Open result |
| 2019 | First Round |
| 2020 | Second Round |
| 2021 | First Round |
| 2022 | Second Round |
| 2023 | Fourth Round |
| 2024 | Quarterfinal |
| 2025 | Second Round |
Before he can think about the Australian Open, Hurkacz will look to lead Poland alongside Iga Swiatek to United Cup victory.
After progressing to the quarterfinals, Hurkacz will play Alex de Minaur as Poland take on Australia on Friday, January 9.
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