In a dramatic turn of events, Polish tennis star Hubert Hurkacz was forced to withdraw from his Wimbledon second-round match against Frenchman Arthur Fils due to a leg injury. The unexpected withdrawal came at a critical moment, with Hurkacz down 7-8 in the tiebreak of the fourth set, giving Fils the victory on match point.

Hurkacz, the 27-year-old former Wimbledon semifinalist, faced a challenging start, losing the first two sets to the 20-year-old Fils. However, he showcased his resilience by winning the third set and pushing the match into a fourth-set tiebreak. The tension peaked at 7-7 in the tiebreak when Hurkacz executed a remarkable diving shot to win the point, but unfortunately injured his leg in the process.

Despite receiving medical treatment, Hurkacz was visibly in discomfort and could only play two more points before conceding the match. At the time of his withdrawal, Fils held an 8-7 lead, placing him at match point. Hurkacz’s decision to retire was met with sympathy from Fils, who expressed his regret over winning in such circumstances. “It’s very difficult to win a match against a friend like this,” Fils remarked. “He was diving everywhere, and we brought out the best in each other. I hope he recovers well.”

Hurkacz, currently ranked seventh in the world, had shown promising form leading up to Wimbledon. He notably reached the final of the Halle Open, a key warm-up event for the grass-court Grand Slam. His unexpected exit from Wimbledon is a significant blow, given his past success at the tournament, including a semifinal appearance in 2021.

Fils’ victory under these conditions highlights the unpredictable nature of sports, where physical well-being can drastically alter the course of competition. As the tournament progresses, fans and fellow players alike hope for Hurkacz’s swift recovery and return to form.