Holger Rune targets ATP Finals and Paris Masters with new coach Boris Becker: “It has been great working with Boris”
The 20-year-old Dane will be hoping to reclaim the Paris Masters this week to earn crucial ranking points ahead of the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin.
Tennis
After a tough period with ten losses in 11 matches, Danish tennis prodigy Holger Rune got back on track at last week’s ATP 500 in Basel, where he reached the semi-finals.
It was the first tournament for Rune alongside six-time major champion Boris Becker as coach. The German will be working with the world No. 7 for the remainder of the season, including this week's Paris Masters where he defends the men's singles title.
“It's been great working so far with Boris, what we're working on is what you see on the court,” Rune told the ATP Podcast.
“There were a few adjustments that we made to be able to come back on track a little bit more. And I think that I was willing to do those small changes. I played some better tennis [in Basel] and I was fighting very well. Obviously didn't find my best level still, but I'm definitely building up more.”
Boris Becker on Rune: “Holger is a rough diamond”
Rune reached a career-high ATP Ranking of No. 4 in August. Becker, who last coached Novak Djokovic from 2013 to 2016 sees a lot of potential in the working relationships with the Dane.
"Holger is a rough diamond that needs polishing,” Becker said to Eurosport Germany. “The fact is that he is one of the best young players in the world. I like his emotional outbursts. I have coached a player before, Novak Djokovic, who was sometimes not quite himself on the court, but that is allowed.”
"Of course, it's all about attitude, even if it's so easy to say that. But it is the main reason why tennis matches are won or lost. I have some ideas on what can be improved. It starts with attitude, mentality, psyche - and I have a little idea about that. Hopefully I can help him to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. That is the big goal and that is the task."
In his Paris Masters opener, sixth seed Rune will face Dominic Thiem of Austria.
Novak Djokovic: Holger Rune has potential to become Grand Slam winner
Last year, Rune met Djokovic in the final in Paris, with the Dane winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, and the two can potentially face each other already in the quarter-finals this year if they both win their first two matches.
The Serbian world No. 1 admits that it will be with mixed feelings if he encounters Rune with his former coach guiding his opponent.
“If I end up facing him (Rune), I don't know if I'd say it's going to be difficult, probably more uncomfortable. I won’t be comfortable in the situation, where Boris is sitting in the opponent’s player's box for the first time. But it's something I just have to get used to. Obviously. But I love Boris and he is one of my close friends,” Djokovic told TV 2 SPORT.
“He (Rune) has huge potential. The potential to become a Grand Slam winner. Undoubtedly. So I'm sure Boris will be able to help improve his game in general. I think it is a really smart move by Holger.”
The Paris Masters is the last big ATP event before the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin, which starts on 12 November.
Rune is currently ranked eighth on the Race to Turin standings, where the top eight qualifies.