ATP Basel: Holger Rune - "Prefer not to think about the offseason"
After winning the title in Stockholm, Holger Rune also made a successful start to the tournament in Basel. Following his opening win, the Dane spoke to a small group about the start in Basel and working with neo-coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Oct 26, 2022, 06:39 pm
By Michael Rothschädl from Basel
It was quite a strange situation that Holger Rune was confronted with four days ago. Immediately after the Dane defeated Alex de Minaur at the ATP 250 event in Stockholm after a big fight in the decision set, the youngster saw the draw for the ATP 500 event in Basel. And with the fact that in a few days - this Wednesday - there will be a rematch with the lively Australian.
At first he had mixed feelings about this circumstance, as Rune explained after his opening win in a small round: "Obviously it's not the ideal situation because I narrowly beat him in the third set and therefore knew that it would be difficult." , said the 19-year-old. "On the other hand, it's great because I knew his game and I was able to adapt a little." And he succeeded perfectly, especially in the initial phase. "I think I took him a bit by surprise."
Mouratoglou with rune in Basel
In the second set the tide turned, de Minaur got into the match better and better. "But then he raised his level a bit and played better, it was definitely a close second set. I'm happy that I stuck with it and found a solution in the second set," said Rune, who agreed in the middle of the second set was able to free himself from tricky situations and, at a score of 5:5, after a weak service game by de Minaur, he managed the decisive break himself.
Neo-coach Patrick Mouratoglou will also be there with Team Rune in Basel this week. With whom the youngster has a good relationship. "We have a lot of fun together, on and off the field. We get along very well, I've known him for a long time - we have a good connection," said Rune. In general, he has great support from his entire team - which is now even broader with the addition of Mouratoglou.
Are there already concrete plans for the offseason? A taboo subject, as Rune jokingly put it. "I prefer not to think about the off-season because I know it's going to be very tough and it's going to be a lot of work (laughs). I have to be prepared to play long matches in Australia, so I will work hard," said the 19-year-old, who wants to attack again at Grand Slam level in Australia.