LONDON – Hubert Hurkacz and Arthur Fils were sparking on Court 2 at Wimbledon, tied at seven points in the fourth-set tiebreak, when the Pole attempted the famous “Becker Dive” with sad consequences.
Hurkacz won the point in spectacular fashion by diving with his whole body to volley to his right side and catch his opponent’s ball. At what cost? The world number 7 injured his right knee. He remained on the ground for several minutes until the physiotherapist on duty arrived to help him. Then he returned with a bandage to the court, and something unusual happened: he made the same move, but this time the Frenchman’s passing shot was successful. The next point he retired when the Frenchman had match point. It was 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 2-6, 6-6 (8-7), ret. for the 20-year-old.
He said goodbye to the crowd on the verge of bursting into tears and limped off the court, very disappointed after an unexpected ending. Despite the pain he autographed a giant tennis ball to a child in the stands. “We were playing super well, with great points. Hubi was jumping all over the place! It’s a shame that a friend like him had this happen to him,” said Fils, who will play in the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
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“Did you see that on the next point he dived again? He’s got something on his head,” Stan Wawrinka joked with Gael Monfils. Both were on their way to the same court to play their match, commenting on what had happened.
The blow that caused pain and sadness to the Polish today was popularized in 1985 by the former world number one, precisely on Centre Court in the year the German became the youngest male champion of the tournament. “It’s a stroke that sends a powerful message to your opponent, because it says that you are there to fight every ball and risk your body if necessary,” Becker once explained.
Having reached the final of the ATP 500 in Halle two weeks ago, Hurkacz was emerging as one of the favorites to fight it out in the final rounds at the All England Club.
The “Becker Dive” took its toll on Hurkacz. He risked too much and, injured, is out of Wimbledon.
