Holger Rune lost to Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 after 3 hours and 4 minutes on his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
Djokovic moved to 3-2 in his head-to-head series against Rune, who won at least one set in all five clashes. They played the decisive third set for the fourth time in a row. Rune beat Djokovic in Paris Bercy in November 2022 and in Rome in May 2023 in two hard-fought matches before losing another close battle against his Serbian rival in Paris Bercy 2023.
“I am proud of how I fought against Djokovic again. We have had always great matches when we played. Unfortunately I could not do it again, but that’s how it is. I have to look forward to and take things out of the match I was happy with, take the things out of the match that I wasn’t happy with, and go back to the practice tomorrow and try to make them better. I thought it was a higher level match than in Paris, that I am glad. The result was pretty similar. Novak is an amazing player. I think physically I felt okay. Of course, I feel it. We played for three hours, but I am sure he also felt it a little bit. I was ready, if I had the chance, from 5-3 to 5-4 to keep going but that did not happen. I think I tried to manage my energy as good as possible during the match, not use too much unnecessary energy and stay calm and play the tennis that I like. You cannot wish that Nole misses a shot or wish that he has an off day. He loses probably four to five matches a year, so he does not have off days. The only wish you can have in yourself is to try to play your best tennis and be the most focused on the court. You have to be ready to give everything. I enjoy playing against him, because it’s amazing to share to share the court with such a legend and we have always had great battles together. We had another good battle in Paris Bercy this year. I have to learn a little bit from that and do it a bit different this time, so I can get the win”, said Rune.
Rune, who moved into world number 10 of the ATP Ranking for the first time in his career at the end of the 2022 season, has recorded a 43-22 record in his ATP Tour matches. He defended his title at the ATP 250 in Munich and reached two Masters 1000 quarter finals in Monte-Carlo and Rome and two quarter finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Rune fulfilled his goal of qualifying for the ATP Finals for the first time in his career.
He climbed to a career-high world number 4 in the ATP Ranking after a successful start to the season, but he won just four matches in the period between Wimbledon and Paris Bercy. The Danish player returned to his best shape with a semifinal in Basel and a quarter final in Paris.
“Especially in the last few tournaments, I have been playing better tennis and got back to my level and have been improving. I had a tough period after Wimbledon, but it’s normal. Sometimes you have good and bad moments, but it’s just important to learn, and I have definitely learned”.
Rune is pleased with the work with his coach Boris Becker, who watched the Danish player from the stands at the Pala Alpitour. “It’s great. It’s really good. Becker has been there many times himself, which helps. He can give out from his experience, give that to me on how to handle the things on the court, off the court. We are still in the tournament, so let’s continue to fight”, said Rune.
Rune attended the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time as a hitting partner of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in 2019.
“It’s amazing. Mostly knowing that there was a small boy practicing being a hitting partner, to now competing against Djokovic, it’s cool”.
