Rune Indicates Goal To Win A Grand Slam Title This Season Ahead Of French Open
Holger Rune reached the last 16 of the Italian Open with victory over Fabio Fognini and spoke afterwards about his goal of winning a first Grand Slam title in 2023. Rune, 20, also touched on whether he thinks him, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could form a new ‘Big Three’ in men’s tennis. Rune faces qualifier Alexei Popyrin in the last 16 as he looks to win his second Masters 1000 event.
Holger Rune has outlined his ambitions to win a Grand Slam title this season.
The 20-year-old has shot up the rankings over the last year, making his first big splash at the 2022 French Open when he reached the quarter-finals.
He won his first Masters 1000 title in Paris last November, beating Novak Djokovic in the final, and is up to No. 7 in the world.
With the French Open on the horizon, next on Rune’s to-do list is to win a major.
“My goal is a Slam for this year,” he told Tennis Channel after his win over Fabio Fognini at the Italian Open.
“I won a Masters 1000, in Paris, and I feel like the next step is a Slam. I know it takes a lot.
Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn’t, but I’m gonna go for it 100 percent.
“Now we’re at French Open, and Wimbledon right after, and I feel good physically, I feel good mentally, I feel good in my tennis. So I’m trying to push as hard as I can for it and I hope it’s going to be this year.”
The French Open starts on May 28 and Rune will be one of the leading young contenders along with Carlos Alcaraz, who will be the top seed at the Grand Slam.
Rune, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been touted as the new ‘Big Three’ of men’s tennis.
“It’s exciting for sure,” said Rune.
“You know, it could be fun if this was the next Big Three of the future – we’ll see, the future will show. I just tried to focus on myself. I don’t necessarily need other players to push me.
“I can push myself but it’s great to see that Alcaraz already won a Slam [at the US Open] and became No. 1. Sinner is up there, beating Alcaraz, but he didn’t beat me yet.
“We’ll see. We had really close battles and he’s a crazy good player, so the future is exciting.”
Rune has not only caught the eye with his impressive play, but also his personality.
He is often willing to engage with the crowd, and has also been involved in spats with Stan Wawrinka and Casper Ruud.
John McEnroe has said that Rune is “developing a reputation” with some of his behaviour, but the 20-year-old denied he is becoming a “bad boy” on tour.
Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey says Rune gives him the “same vibes” as the former world No. 1.
“Love this guy,” Petchey wrote on Twitter.
“Growing up in the spotlight is never easy but he is very much going to be a reason why fans tune into watch this sport. Can’t ask for more than that from player.
“Remember [former ATP executive chairman] Etienne De Villiers waking up to Andy in Oz in 2006 and just said ‘Hi – never change’. That was it. He knew what sport and entertainment looked like and he saw it in Andy straight away. Holger gives me the same vibes.”
Rune faces qualifier Alexei Popyrin in the last 16 on Tuesday.
