“If Alcaraz is at 60% of his capacity, Rune is at 50%,” launched the coach of the Dane, the Frenchman, in a provocative mode Patrick Mouratoglou, after his pupil lifted his first Masters 1,000 in Paris today, beating the legendary Novak Djokovic.
Born in the municipality of Gentofte, north of Copenhagenon April 29, 2003, six days before the current number one Carlos Alcaraz, Rune has gone from promise to reality in just two years on tour.
Obsessed with tennis since childhood and always supported by his family, especially his mother, Anekehis career stems from something of self-confidence.
“What surprises me the most about him is his ultra-determination, he has a belief in what he does more than usual,” said Mouratoglou, who has been working with the Scandinavian prodigy since 2022.
Losing to Djokovic in a final starting a set down is not within everyone’s reach, nor does it exclude, in the same tournament, a player with 16 straight wins and eighth in the world, Felix Auger-Aliassime, a number one (Alcaraz) and tenth and ninth in the ranking, Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev, respectively.
All this was achieved this week Rune and has only 19 years. Quarterfinalist of Roland Garros this year (tournament he won in 2019 as a youth), finalist in Sofia and Basel and winner in Stockholm (and earlier this year in Munich), the Dane finished the season that was launched.
Volcanic on the track, off it he looks almost angelic, with a high-pitched, almost childlike voice. Before journalists, the player can be shy, with quick and evasive answers.
During matches, his gaze is always directed at his box, with his mother leading the way. Whether to celebrate or mourn a failed point.
“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today. He’s been supporting me since I was a kid, and he’s still here. It’s incredible to have him by my side,” admits the beardless Dane with a toned physique ( 1.88 meters and 77 kilograms).
For Mouratoglou, this family nucleus, which includes Rune’s father and sister, is essential to his success.
“Parents are important, they are always there, in a sport as strong as tennis, you can change the coach, but not the parents”, considers the historical coach of Serena Williams.
Managing emotions has been key to Rune’s sensational downfall, Mouratoglou said. “Now it manages them better, it’s more stable.”
The Dane’s impetuous character in the Roland Garros quarters against Norwegian Casper Ruud is well known to the public, whom he barely greeted when he bowed out in that round with mutual accusations of unsporting gestures.
Whether this Masters 1,000 victory by the world number 10 from tomorrow is the birth of the rivalry with Alcaraz, only time will tell.
For now, Djokovic, who lost this year to both, puts them on the same level and allows himself to study them.
“Both defend well, one (Holger) has a better backhand, the other (Carlos), the forehand,” summed up the winner of 21 majors.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
