Holger Rune 2022: Between a lot of light and some shadow
Holger Rune made the absolute breakthrough in 2022. A season with many big highlights - but also with some downsides.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Nov 08, 2022, 10:49 am
Holger Rune was in a very special situation in the 2022 calendar year. Namely in that of the young, promising player who, despite early, very big exclamation marks, was able to develop a little under the (media) radar - in a protected environment, so to speak. There is one main reason for this: Carlos Alcaraz. While Rune slowly but surely got stuck at ATP level in the first half of the year, the Spaniard - like Rune 19 years young - was already celebrating remarkable successes on the ATP tour. Masters 1000 title included.
The media narratives of the two men should only really cross paths for the first time at the French Open 2022 - where Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated as a highly regarded co-favorite in the quarterfinals. And Holger Rune was able to surprisingly reach exactly this lap. Anyone who thinks that the greatest success in the Dane's career so far should subsequently act as a catalyst for them: far from it. Rather, Runes' quarter-finals in Paris represented a turning point in the 2022 game year. In a negative sense.
Rune with a sag
Rune suffered six defeats in a row after the French Open, only against the crisis-ridden Fabio Fognini and Benoit Paire did the youngster achieve a complete success in these difficult almost two months. A possible reason for the slump: the ugly departure from Paris, the (media) argument with the later finalist Casper Ruud, who threw Rune out of the tournament in the quarterfinals. And who seemed anything but impressed by the behavior of the 19-year-old.
It is precisely this behavior that runs like a red thread through the athletically impressive rise of the teenager. And who, in the words of the experienced, highly successful Stan Wawrinkas after his narrow opening defeat in Paris-Bercy, experienced a negative peak: "My advice is that you stop behaving like a baby on the pitch," judged the triple The Grand Slam winner handshakes his opponent, who is 18 years his junior.
Rune's master's exam in Paris-Bercy
One thing is certain: Holger Rune has rough edges. And he has a strong team that has recently seen much stronger growth. Star coach Patrick Mouratoglou has officially joined Team Rune for almost a month. An almost Hollywood-ready success story, as can be summarized after the first three tournaments together. Title win in Stockholm, final in Basel, title win in Paris-Bercy - where Rune was able to eliminate five (!) Top 10 players in one tournament. As many as no player before him. Ever.
This year Rune has come full circle – again it was the French capital where the 19-year-old was able to take another big step in his career. And the last ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris-Bercy is now also the place where puppy protection - also in media terms - has probably finally come to an end. Because if you put Carlos Alcaraz, Felix Auger-Aliassime (in his current condition) and Novak Djokovic in their place in a tournament at the age of 19 and reach the top 10 as a teenager, you can be sure of the big limelight. And with it (even) more critical looks at the behavior on the pitch.