Duel of the "Grumpy Boys": Andrey Rublev against Holger Rune
Hardly anyone would have expected this final in Monte Carlo at the start of the tournament: Andrey Rublev meets Holger Rune. On the surface, the two players appear to have a few things in common. But especially in the assessment of their colleagues, the Russians and the Danes are worlds apart.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Apr 15, 2023, 11:52 pm
There was no big bang, but there was still aggression in the air between Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals in Monte Carlo. Especially when Holger pulled through after an out ball and almost hit the South Tyrolean several times. In any case, the sympathies were clearly distributed on the "Court Rainier III". Except for a smaller group of Danish fans, most viewers kept their fingers crossed for Sinner. This may also be due to Italy's proximity to Monte Carlo, but this game also made it clear: Rune polarizes, is anything but a fan favorite.
Rublev is extremely popular with his peers - unlike Rune
At first glance, this also applies to his opponent in the final, Andrey Rublev. His loud quarreling after almost every mistake and the gestural confrontations with his own box produce few sympathetic images. That's why the Russian ends up far from the top spots in every fan vote for the tour's favorite players.
With Rune and Rublev, will the "Grumpy Boys" of the tour meet in the principality final? Superficially yes, but if you ask the colleagues in the finals, you get a completely different picture: there is hardly a player who is more popular than Andrey Rublev. Just how warmly Taylor Fritz said goodbye to him during the handshake in the semifinals spoke volumes.
The first Masters title for the Russian?
No - Rublev is only a "grumpy boy" at first glance. And rune? The 19-year-old is currently doing everything he can to keep this title at second glance. Stan Wawrinka can tell you a thing or two about that. The Dane has already clashed several times with the Swiss. You should be able to count Holger Rune's friends in the changing room on one hand - if you can even count that far.
Rublev, on the other hand, has a chance to show the other side of himself on the pitch with a final victory and then his first Masters title. The page that his colleagues have known for a long time - and appreciate.