Hubert Hurkacz
A towering Polish tennis talent with a thunderous serve, who announced his arrival by toppling Roger Federer at Wimbledon.
Born 1997 (age 29)·Polish tennis player·Birthday: February 11·Generation Z
Biography
Hubert Hurkacz, standing at 6'5", carries the hopes of Polish tennis on his broad shoulders, wielding one of the most formidable serves on the ATP Tour. His breakthrough was both decisive and symbolic: at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, he defeated the legendary Roger Federer in straight sets, marking the Swiss maestro's final singles match at the All England Club. That same year, he captured his first Masters 1000 title in Miami, a victory that propelled him into the world's top 10. Hurkacz's game is a potent mix of power and surprising touch, with a deft volley that makes him a constant threat on grass. As a consistent presence in the sport's upper echelon, he has solidified Poland's place on the global tennis map.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Hubert was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Hubert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Hubert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Defeated Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2021, which was Federer's final professional singles match.
- Won the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Miami in 2021.
- Achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 6, the highest ever for a Polish man.
- Led Poland to the semifinals of the ATP Cup in 2022.
Did You Know?
His nickname on tour is 'Hubi.'
He is an avid fan of the NBA and particularly the Golden State Warriors.
He speaks fluent Polish, English, and German.
His mother was a professional tennis player for Poland, and his grandfather played for the Polish national volleyball team.
““I just try to focus on my game, on improving every day. That's the most important thing.””
