And Now Here Comes Holger Rune

Holger Rune speaks as he performs tennis — at a loopy quick tempo, barely stopping to take a breath. His ideas are deep and direct, as if he has a lot to say however not a lot time to say it.

Rune’s footwork is exceptionally speedy, and his ascent up the rankings has stored tempo. In only one yr, he rose from exterior the world’s Prime 100 to a Prime 10 rating. He went from enjoying in lower-level tournaments at the start of 2022 to profitable ATP occasions in Munich, Stockholm and Paris. On the Paris Masters, he upset 5 Prime 10 gamers, together with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and 21-time Grand Slam singles winner Novak Djokovic, whom he beat within the remaining. At simply 19, Rune was the ATP’s Newcomer of the 12 months, ending the season at No. 11.

However there have been issues for the Dane, whose squabbles with umpires, gamers and even his omnipresent mom, Aneke, garnered him undesirable consideration. A verbal rumble after a loss to Casper Ruud within the quarterfinals of the French Open final yr had each gamers accusing one another of insults and untruths.

For Rune, who begins contesting his second Australian Open this Monday, it’s all a part of the maturation course of.

The next interview has been edited and condensed.

Final yr, you misplaced your first-round match on the Australian Open to Soonwoo Kwon after main by two units to at least one. What do you keep in mind about that match?

I used to be nonetheless very inexperienced, and it was bodily and mentally laborious to play 5 units. After the third set I began cramping just a little bit. Now I’ve a great tackle enjoying lengthy matches. It’s about saving some power, and you’ll solely get that by expertise.

You have been the No. 1 ranked junior on this planet in 2019. Some juniors discover the transition to the professional tour very tough, however for you it was seamless. Why?

To start with, it wasn’t straightforward despite the fact that it was going fast. For me it felt prefer it took plenty of time, however on paper it didn’t. I used to be very keen and took all of the steps. I’ve an enormous will to undergo any problem I get on my method to getting nearer to my dream. That’s my focus every single day that I step on the tennis courtroom.

In juniors, it regarded such as you performed greatest on clay courts. Then you definately received 19 of your final 21 matches final yr indoors on laborious courts. Is that your new floor?

That’s a great query. I don’t know actually if I’m a clay-courter or a hard-courter. It relies upon. That’s why when folks ask me if laborious, clay or grass is my favourite floor, I might say all of them.

Final yr you added Patrick Mouratoglou to your teaching group, however you’ve been working with Lars Christensen because you have been very younger. What’s a very powerful factor Lars has taught you?

I might say the self-discipline. If you happen to have a look at me now from 5 years in the past, I’m very totally different. I’m extra structured in every little thing I do, on the courtroom and off. Lars can also be very technical. He’s nonetheless attempting to assist me be taught stuff, and I’m very keen to enhance.

You had large wins over Djokovic, Alcaraz and [Alexander] Zverev in 2022. Which one meant probably the most?

I had one towards [Stefanos] Tsitsipas too. However I’ve obtained to say, all of them in a method. However proper now I’d need to say Novak. To play him in a remaining with all the feelings and stuff may be very huge.

You set a objective final yr to be within the Prime 25, and also you made it to the Prime 10. Did that shock even you?

Once you keep within the second you’re not shocked when every little thing goes so quick. However once I look again, I really feel very happy with what I achieved. Rating objectives are vital, however you’ll be able to’t actually management them as a result of it is determined by so many issues. I’m proud of how issues are going, and I’m very motivated to be in the very best form as doable in Australia.