Holger Rune went down combating towards Novak Djokovic in his opener on the 2023 ATP Finals, dropping in a three-set battle that lasted over three hours on Sunday. Regardless, the Dane was pleased with the show he put up towards the World No. 1, particularly with the way in which he managed to utilize his new coach Boris Becker.
Becker, who beforehand coached Djokovic for 3 years, joined Rune’s camp a number of weeks in the past. The partnership has been fruitful already, with the 20-year-old reaching the semifinals in Basel and the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters forward of his journey to Turin.
Talking to the press after his 6-7(4), 7-6(1), 3-6 loss to Djokovic, Holger Rune hailed his crew for serving to him by each interval of the match, particularly throughout his service video games towards the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
“It was nice assist from my crew. I feel they assist me all through each interval of the match immediately, which could be very good for the participant, that you just really feel you may have the sturdy assist behind you,” Rune stated.
“It was small key issues to remain centered on my serve. My first serve is essential towards Novak as a result of in the event you do not put the primary serve, you may have a little bit little bit of stress as a result of he returns so nicely,” he added.
When requested what advise Becker supplied him, the eighth seed revealed that the German reminded him to play on his personal phrases — a fairly troublesome job contemplating that Djokovic pressured opponets to adapt to his personal rhythm. It was a bit of recommendation, due to this fact, that proved very useful to the Dane on the evening.
“So, yeah, was small issues to remind me on my id of my sport, to play on my phrases, regardless that it is troublesome towards Novak as a result of he attempt to play on his phrases. It was like a battle of which phrases there was going to be performed on, and he gained that battle,” Holger Rune stated.
“Boris Becker has been there many, many occasions himself, which helps” – Holger Rune
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Holger Rune additionally touched on his relationship with Boris Becker to date, stating that the truth that the six-time Grand Slam champion has already skilled the largest moments on the court docket himself makes him a useful asset.
Regardless of the loss, Rune stays assured of reaching the semifinals on the ATP Finals, which would require wins towards his subsequent two opponents — Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“It is nice. It is actually good. I imply, in fact he is proper there. He is been there many, many occasions himself, which helps. He can provide out from his expertise, give that to me on the way to deal with the issues on the court docket, off the court docket. Yeah, I imply, we nonetheless within the match, so let’s proceed to combat,” Holger Rune stated.
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