Peter Polansky just wanted matches going into a three-week run of ATP Challenger Tour events last month, but now sits at a career-high Emirates ATP Ranking as he enjoys one of his most successful runs on tour.
The Canadian reached three consecutive Challenger finals on home soil, recording finishing runner-up showings in Winnipeg, Gatineau and Granby. Polansky then followed that up by winning his first ATP World Tour main draw match of the season this week over Yasutaka Uchiyama in Los Cabos. He’s played 17 matches in the past four weeks.
“I didn’t really have any expectations going into those three Challengers,” said Polansky. “I had been struggling with my results for the previous three or four months, but felt like I had been playing well lately.
“There weren’t as many events in Canada when I was younger, so to have the chance to play three Challengers in a row at home is really nice. I could have played the main draw at [the ATP World Tour] event in Newport, but chose to play at Gatineau instead because I’ve done well there before and have good memories. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always had success at home.”
Polansky faced off twice against #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov during this three-week Challenger stretch, falling in the Gatineau final before getting revenge a week later in the Granby semi-finals. The veteran said he’s impressed by the progress that Shapovalov and fellow #NextGenATP Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime have made over the past year
“It feels like their games are continually rising and going in the right direction every time I’ve seen them. They’re both becoming a little mature and obviously have a lot of time to work in the [Emirates ATP Rankings],” said Polansky. “I see them both having the potential to make the Top 50 in the next couple of years and then you never know after that.
“What impresses me most about a lot of the #NextGenATP guys is that they’re very mature for their age and they believe in themselves. I remember playing some of the top players when I was younger and being a little bit intimidated. I thought I could give them a good match, but didn’t think I could actually beat them. These kids have a fearless attitude against anyone, which is rare to see.”
Polansky currently sits at a career-high Emirates ATP Ranking of No. 115. Although he’s inching closer to making his Top 100 debut at age 29, he said he’s learned the importance of trying to avoid thinking about it
“It’d be quite meaningful. I had a good opportunity after Australia, where I had almost no [Emirates ATP Rankings] points to defend, but struggled after that because I started to think about it and put a little too much pressure on myself,” he admitted. “When you’ve been on the tour as long as I have and come close to the Top 100 so many times, you do start to think about it. But I’m trying to focus on what’s in front of me for now, do my thing just keep swinging away.”