Patrick Mouratoglou on Holger Rune: "Can really reach number one"
Patrick Mouratoglou recently had youngster Holger Rune under his wing. The Frenchman has now spoken in more detail to TennisMajors about the cooperation.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Oct 14, 2022, 08:52 pm
In the 2022 season, Holger Rune took another big step towards the top of tennis. The 19-year-old is currently in 27th place, and the Dane also made an impression at the French Open by reaching the quarter-finals. Now the top talent has strengthened the coaching team, as it was announced a few days ago, Rune is now working with star coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Long-term coach Lars Christensen will of course remain part of the team.
Now Mouratoglou has spoken to TennisMajors for the first time about working with the youngster: " Holger is at a point in his career where he and his team are looking for something extra to reach the next level," said the Frenchman. According to reports from the French medium - in which Mouratoglou is a shareholder himself - a move into the top 10 in the ATP ranking was envisaged for mid-2023. However, the coach does not want to express these goals.
Mouratoglou complements Christensen
"For me, success means getting information. During this time, I want to have a clear idea of what we need to do to take Holger to the next step," explains Mouratoglou, who is also preparing for the 19-year-old together with him will tackle the 2023 season. "The more you grow, the more precise the work you have to do. His goals are very ambitious. He always said he wanted to be number one and that's not just a word. He can really achieve it ."
At the moment, Team Rune doesn't have a clear idea of what it will take to take this next step. "You need an extra eye. Imagine how long the relationship is between Holger and his coach Lars Christensen, who has been at it since he played tennis as a child," explains Mouratoglou. "When you've been with someone for so long, you can't see things the same way."
But that doesn't mean that the Frenchman will now radically change everything - on the contrary: "I haven't changed anything about Holger's routine, in fact I haven't changed anything at all. I've already seen small details, but the one who knows Holger is Lars, not me," said Serena Williams' ex-coach. "I can talk to Holger and exchange thoughts, but before you make any changes you have to know the player very well." That's exactly what the Frenchman has in mind now.