“Needs to grow up” – Holger Rune unnecessarily provoking the respectful Japanese crowd in Tokyo doesn’t sit well with fans on social media

Holger Rune provoked the Japanese crowd when he was up against home favorite Kei Nishikori in the Japan Open quarterfinals.

“Needs to grow up” – Holger Rune unnecessarily provoking the respectful Japanese crowd in Tokyo doesn’t sit well with fans on social media

Kei Nishikori, Holger Rune (Images via X)

It wasn’t smooth sailing for Holger Rune when he was up against home favorite Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open on Sunday (September 29). Rune, the sixth seed, had lost the first set, but he changed the momentum during the second set, and still, was on the verge of losing the match. 

The third set saw Rune fighting hard to stay in the match and finally prevailed over the 2014 US Open finalist with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes. However, the Dane, known for often losing his temper during tense moments, provoked the Japanese crowd inside the Ariake Coliseum who were rather cheering for both the players. 

His ball striking and feel on the ball was incredible, and it was very challenging for me. I had to find another gear to be able to beat him, and it was almost not enough, but I managed to find that level and find that fighting spirit to beat him.

Holger Rune said during his post-match interview 

Nishikori is a two-time Japan Open champion and is the only male player from Japan in the Open Era to have been ranked in the top five. Apart from making it to the 2014 US Open finals, where he lost to Marin Cilic, Nishikori has advanced to many quarterfinals in the rest of the three Grand Slams. 

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Netizens slam Holger Rune’s behavior to the Japanese crowd 

Fans believe Holger Rune has the ability to be a great player in the future but lacks the attitude to win Grand Slams. Some fans said Rune provoking the crowd is “old” news. 

Holger Rune
Holger Rune (Image via X)

Check out a few reactions here:

The World No. 14 is now one step closer to lifting his first title of the season. In the semifinals, he will face either Arthur Fils or Ben Shelton. Rune faced the American just once, last year in Acapulco, and won that match in three sets. 

Rune, however, won and lost two matches he played against Fils. They first met in the 2023 Rome Open which Rune won, followed by their clash in Hamburg in 2024. Before the Japan Open, the 21-year-old lost his first match in the Hangzhou Open to Yasutaka Uchiyama in straight sets.

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Rune has reached multiple semifinals but made it to just one final this year, at the Brisbane International, which he lost to Grigor Dimitrov. Overall, Rune has won four titles on the ATP Tour.