Holger Rune: ‘I will be in Turin, would love to play’

Holger Rune kicked off the season from just outside the top-100. The young Dane has made incredible progress in the past 11 months, winning three ATP titles and entering the top-10 for the first time! Holger became the fourth-youngest Masters 1000 champion in Paris, beating five top-10 rivals in five days and writing history books. With Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal, Holger is the first alternate at the ATP Finals in Turin, skipping the NextGen ATP Finals and heading to Turin for a big event. Rune does not want anyone to get injured during the event, although he admits he would love to play in the elite ATP event. Holger defeated Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the Paris Masters final, prevailing after two hours and 33 minutes for a massive achievement. Rune is 19-2 in the previous four tournaments, playing confidently and enduring all the efforts against a six-time Paris Masters winner! Djokovic won five points more than Rune and created 12 break chances, six in the encounter’s final game alone.

Holger erased ten to remain competitive and grabbed all three break chances to emerge at the top. The Dane played aggressive tennis and fired 43 winners and 33 unforced errors. Novak dominated with his first serve and hit more service winners than Holger. However, the youngster climbed back in the more extended baseline exchanges, taming his strokes nicely and staying focused to emerge at the top. Novak dropped five points in five service games of the opening set. He broke Holger in game four after the rival’s double faults to build a 3-1 lead, serving well for 6-3. Rune fended off all three break chances in the second set and grabbed his only opportunity on the return to stay competitive and introduce a decider.

Holger Rune is the first alternate at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Rune broke in game two and controlled the pace in the remaining service games for 6-3 and a decider after an hour and 20 minutes. Novak broke in the final set’s fourth game and had a chance to move 4-1 up in the next one. Holger extended that game with a backhand down the line winner and broke back for more drama. Djokovic sprayed a forehand mistake in the 11th game to fall 6-5 behind and allow the rival to serve for the title. The 12th game saw a real roller coaster, and Novak created six break points that could have prolonged the battle. After 17 minutes, Rune saved them and seized the second match point to start an emotional celebration and become the youngest champion in Paris since Boris Becker in 1986.

“Of course, I’m going to go to Turin. I’m the first alternate. I wish all the players that I’m not going to play because I want them to be healthy; at the same time, it would be awesome if I get a chance to play. I did not expect that four or five weeks ago, but now I’m here. I’m super happy about how I ended my season, and if it’s possible to play more matches, I’m super excited about it. Right now, I can not wait to get some food, sleep and relax,” Holger Rune said.