Holger Rune aims for another strong performance at Roland Garros in 2025, having reached the quarterfinals in both 2022 and 2023.
This Danish talent has already made waves on clay this year, notably reaching the final of the Barcelona Open after securing victories against Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov.
In a surprising turn, Rune triumphed over two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final, winning 7-6, 6-2 and capturing his first title since 2023.
However, Rune struggled to maintain that momentum in the two remaining clay Masters 1000 events this year, falling in his opening match at the Madrid Open and losing in the third round in Rome.
Rune Opens Up About His Relationship with Novak Djokovic
Ahead of his return to Roland Garros, Rune shared insights during a pre-tournament press conference about his interactions with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
“Novak has always been very kind to me throughout my career,” he mentioned. “I remember the first time we practiced together during the ATP Tour Finals and later in Monaco when I was still young. His guidance has been invaluable, and it’s a privilege to receive advice from one of the greats.”
Rune recalled specific advice Djokovic gave him about maintaining control with his forehand: “He suggested staying at 70-80% power to ensure quality and safety in shots. This lesson is vital, especially as young players often go for broke.” Rune noted how Djokovic’s gameplay exemplifies this balance, combining quality with minimal risk.
Despite their competitive matches, Djokovic holds a 4-2 lead over Rune in their head-to-head encounters, with their most memorable meeting being Rune’s surprise victory at the 2022 Paris Masters, where he clinched his first Masters 1000 title.
As Rune prepares to face Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round, he expressed optimism, saying, “I feel good. Although my preparation on clay hasn’t been perfect, I’m excited to be back in Paris. This tournament means a lot to me, and I’ve had a good practice week, looking forward to getting started.”
