Hubert Hurkacz is enjoying a strong return to form at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, but his coach, Gilles Cervara, is making sure the Polish star stays focused on the work ahead.
After Hurkacz secured a hard-fought three-set victory over Chinese wild card Zhou Yi in the third round, Cervara appeared to remind him that there was still plenty to improve. Gesturing towards the practice courts and mimicking a forehand, the French coach made his message clear. Hurkacz initially smiled, seemingly thinking it was a joke, before reacting with playful frustration as Cervara continued to insist.
The lighthearted exchange reflected the standards Cervara has set since joining Hurkacz’s coaching team earlier this year. The former World No. 6 has endured a difficult period marked by injuries, including meniscus surgery in 2024, followed by a seven-match losing streak between January and March 2026.
Source: Tennis Majors
However, his recent performances suggest that he is finding his rhythm again. Hurkacz reached the final in Chengdu and the semi-finals in Beijing before advancing to the fourth round in Shanghai. His biggest statement this week came in the second round, when he defeated Novak Djokovic, a four-time Shanghai champion.
Shanghai is also a special venue for Hurkacz. In 2023, he won the tournament after saving a championship point against Andrey Rublev in the final. His latest run offers another opportunity to build on that success and regain ground in the rankings.
Cervara, who previously coached Daniil Medvedev to the World No. 1 ranking, joined Hurkacz’s team following the Pole’s difficult start to the season. Their partnership appears to be gaining momentum during the Asian hard-court swing, with Hurkacz showing greater consistency and producing results against some of the sport’s biggest names.
His progress has also been reflected in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, where he climbed five places to No. 29. With his confidence returning, Hurkacz will be looking to extend his Shanghai campaign and maintain his upward trajectory.
For now, however, Cervara’s message remains clear: recent victories are worth celebrating, but there is always room to improve.
