Holger Rune: Not the top 20 goal, "would like to be the best in the world"
Holger Rune makes no secret of his extremely ambitious goals. In an interview with Open Orleans, the Dane emphasized that he was aiming for a career like Novak Djokovic , Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer .
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 05, 2021, 07:24 pm
The fact that Holger Rune is endowed with a lot of potential has been beyond question since he won a set against world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round of the US Open. With Radu Albot, Benoit Paire and Lorenzo Sonego, the 18-year-old has already defeated established top 100 players this calendar year, most recently reaching his first quarter-finals on the ATP tour at the ATP 250 event from qualification - where it was against the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta set a three-set defeat after a passable performance.
When asked about where the journey should go for the young Dane, he has always shown little reluctance. This was also the case in an interview with Open Orleans, where the 18-year-old emphasized that he was striving for an extremely successful career: "My goal is not to get into the top 20, but to be the best player in the world, like Rafa, Roger and Novak. I want to win a lot of Grand Slams and do my best, "said Rune. He has great potential and a great team at his side that helps him overcome the hurdles on the way to the top. "That is one of the most important things that it takes to get to the top of the world in professional tennis," the Dane is convinced.
Rune on Djokovic match: "Never seen anything like this before"
Of course it's a long way to the top, but he is "ready to take this one and make it come true," Rune emphasized. The match against Novak Djokovic in Flushing Meadows was an experience that confirmed his plans. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Rune recalls: "It was one of the best experiences I've had as a tennis player. I've never experienced anything like it. It was an incredible feeling to face the best player in the world on the center court of the US Open . "
Despite winning the set, Rune clearly had to admit defeat to the Serb. After all, it is a very special challenge in tennis to meet Novak Djokovic: "He is one of the best players in the history of tennis. He is incredibly constant. He never gives you anything. You really have to win all the points for yourself. because it gives you little room for error. " You shouldn't afford to make mistakes, especially when you serve yourself. "He's without a doubt one of the toughest players to face."