"Stressful but I was also very excited" - Hubert Hurkacz revisits Roger Federer upset at Wimbledon in Swiss' final competitive match

Hubert Hurkacz holds the distinction of being the last man to have played and beaten Roger Federer at Wimbledon. The 2021 SW19 encounter was also the last competitive match of the Swiss legend’s career.

Hurkacz’s big serve and powerful groundstrokes were enough to ensure a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0 win, but behind the cool and collected outlook were definite nerves.

Revisiting his now famous win over the eight-time former champion in an interview with The Guardian, Hurkacz said he was fairly stressed before the encounter despite knowing that he was playing great tennis on grass.

“Definitely I was stressed beforehand,” Hubert Hurkacz said. “I was pretty confident in my game at that point, I knew I was playing some good tennis on grass at Wimbledon and especially after beating [Daniil Medvedev] in five sets."

"I felt I was in a good spot and I was just trying to do my best out there and compete," he added.

The Pole conceded that he also felt a certain sense of excitement that balanced out the stress levels. He said playing against Federer, his childhood idol, at Wimbledon was something he had always wanted.

“It was stressful but I was also very excited. Growing up as a kid, I was always looking up to [Roger Federer], he was my idol. He won so many times at Wimbledon and having a chance to play with him there on this unique court, that was something I always wanted to do,” Hubert Hurkacz said.

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"Want to be remembered for more than winning against Roger Federer" - Hubert Hurkacz

Hubert Hurkacz during his encounter 2021 Wimbledon encounter at Roger Federer.

While he cherishes his time on Wimbledon’s Centre Court against Roger Federer, Hubert Hurkacz wants to be remembered for bigger, better things.

Speaking about his ambition, the Pole said during the aforementioned interview that he wanted to win big on every surface and be remembered for being more than the guy who beat Federer in his final match.

“I’m ambitious. I want to win tournaments,” Hubert Hurkacz said. “I’m really proud of winning on every surface. Hopefully, I could do some good things in the future so I’ll be remembered for more than winning against [Roger Federer]."

Circling back, Hurkacz the memories of the “special” match against Federer will always remain with him. He said the experience of a packed Centre Court crowd and was unlike anything that he has experienced.

“But it was just really special to play on the Centre Court with [Roger Federer], just to feel the atmosphere. It was crazy loud. I never experienced anything like that before and I am glad I was able to do it,” he added.

Hurkacz had recently made the final in Halle, another tournament where his idol, Federer, holds the record for most number of titles. He is scheduled to play at Wimbledon next.