Holger Rune ‘disappointed’ after failing to look like Roger Federer while hitting ‘shot of the tournament’ against Stefanos Tsitsipas at Indian Wells

Holger Rune hit a tweener against Stefanos Tsitsipas during the fourth round of the Indian Wells, which the Dane won in straight sets.

Holger Rune ‘disappointed’ after failing to look like Roger Federer while hitting ‘shot of the tournament’ against Stefanos Tsitsipas at Indian Wells

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Roger Federer (Image via ATP/X)

World No.13 Holger Rune is bidding to win his first ATP title since the 2023 BMW Open in the ongoing Indian Wells Open. He achieved his best result of the season after moving past Stefanos Tsitsipas to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

During the match that lasted for 90 minutes, the Dane hit 22 winners, one of which was called the shot of the tournament. The shot was a tweener he produced during the second set when the World No.9 was on the verge of claiming the eighth game.

YouTube video

Rune later said the shot was “unbelievable” and was “better” than any tweeners he hit in his life. The 21-year-old, however, was dejected upon watching the video of the shot that he didn’t bear resemblance to tennis great Roger Federer while striking the tweener.

I think it felt better on the court, actually, but it also looked good on the phone, definitely. I had the expectation that I looked like Roger Federer when I hit it, and I didn’t quite do that. So that was disappointing, you know. Definitely felt better.

Holger Rune said with a smile at the press conference

Here’s the video of the shot:

Rune idolizes the Swiss maestro, who hung up his racket at the 2022 Laver Cup. One of the most memorable shots the 20-time Grand Slam champion hit was a tweener against Novak Djokovic at the US Open.

Holger Rune is feeling prepped to have a fantastic year

Holger Rune didn’t have a great campaign at the start of the season. He fell in his Brisbane International opener and was knocked out of the Australian Open fourth round; while in Rotterdam, he lost in his second match.

Holger Rune
Holger Rune (Image via ATP/X)

Rune then started his Golden Swing at the Argentina Open, but it was different there as well. He lost in the opening round and arrived in Acapulco, where food poisoning forced him to retire from his fourth-round match.

Rune then entered the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the California desert and secured victories over two Frenchmen, Corentin Moutet and Ugo Humbert. Amid his poor run of forms, he wasn’t the favorite to win against Stefanos Tsitsipas who recently won the Dubai Open, his first title since the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters.

The win helped him get back to the top 10. Rune, after knocking out the two-time Grand Slam champion, is hoping to keep producing dominating performances for the rest of the season.

I’m starting to get warm, I feel that’s a good feeling both mentally, and I think my level…it’s been there, but I think especially mentally, I was very good today and I think, that’s the most important because also the match against Humbert, I think I was very proud of myself because that was not a match where everything was going my way.

Holger Rune told Tennis Channel

Rune has now become a two-time quarterfinalist at Indian Wells and is the first Scandinavian to reach the last eight for the second time on the trot after Stefan Edberg (1994-95). He is now a nine-time quarterfinalist in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.

Holger Rune improves head-to-head record over Stefanos Tsitsipas

Holger Rune has now secured victories in all four matches he played against Stefanos Tsitsipas. They first locked horns in the French Open fourth round back in 2022, following which they met in the final in Stockholm the same year.

Holger Rune (3)
Holger Rune (Image via ATP/X)

In their next clash in the 2023 ATP Finals round-robin stage, Rune received a walkover from the 26-year-old. The 12th seed is now set to lock horns with Tallon Griekspoor in the quarterfinals. The Dutchman beat Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki in the previous round to set up the clash with Rune.