"Now it's even more difficult to win these": Hubert Hurkacz not a fan of extended Masters 1000 tournaments despite Shanghai Masters win

Polish tennis star Hubert Hurkacz has revealed that he is not in favour of having long ATP 1000 Masters events.

The 26-year-old recently emerged victorious in one such event — Shanghai Masters — where he defeated Russia’s Andrey Rublev in the final with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

Talking after the match, Hurkacz stated that the draw size in the previous competitions was perfect where 54 players used to participate but it has now increased to 96.

“Now they are a little longer events,” he said. “I really enjoy being here, but I liked the draws as they were before, with around 54 players. I think they were incredible draws.

"Now it is even more difficult to win these types of events. There are 96 players. Everyone wants to win, battle and compete."

The victory was definitely a special one for Hurkacz as not only it was his first ATP title in 2023 but it was also only the second time in his career where he has managed to lift the title at a ATP 1000 event.

Previously, the Wroclaw-born achieved this feat back in 2021 when he won the Miami Open where he defeated Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the final with a score of 7-6, 6-4.