Ex-ATP Pro Thinks Holger Rune’s Paris Masters Win Over Novak Djokovic Had Negative Impact on Dane’s Career

Holger Rune has defeated Novak Djokovic twice in Masters 1000s, in Paris in 2022 and in Rome the following year.

Ex-ATP Pro Thinks Holger Rune’s Paris Masters Win Over Novak Djokovic Had Negative Impact on Dane’s Career

Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis)

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Holger Rune burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old and defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Paris Masters final. But Rune struggled to live up to the expectations.

Since that win, he has played six finals, winning just two titles (the 2023 Munich Open and this year’s Barcelona Open). The finals include two Masters 1000s: the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open and this year’s Indian Wells Masters. Former player Steve Johnson believes his victory over Djokovic negatively affected his career, as a lot more was expected from him. He said on the Nothing Major podcast:

At 19, he won Paris, which propelled him even further into the spotlight. Now, there’s an expectation that he’ll win these Masters 1000 tournaments because he did it at such a young age, and it’s difficult to live up to those expectations week after week. I think if he had lost to Novak Djokovic at Paris-Bercy in 2022, he might not have had the same expectations in recent years.

In Grand Slam events, Rune has never progressed beyond the quarterfinals. He, in fact, hasn’t advanced to the last eight since the 2023 Wimbledon. This year, his best Grand Slam performance was his progression to the fourth round of the Australian Open and the French Open.

Obviously, now that he’s injured and out for the coming year, it’s a real shame. I know it might sound crazy, but it’s much worse, because you’re in the spotlight, you beat Novak, you won a Masters 1000 title when you were just a teenager. It’s hard to accept, I mean, I would have given anything to win a Masters title…but no victory is bad.

Steve Johnson added

Rune is currently nursing his Achilles tendon injury, which he suffered during the Stockholm Open. While clashing with eventual runner-up Ugo Humbert in the semifinal, Rune tore his Achilles and left the court in tears. He later underwent surgery and has already started his rehabilitation process.

Rune said the career-threatening injury was a ‘slap’ on his face, as it has taught him to take his talent and career more seriously. It’s uncertain when the 22-year-old will be back on the tour. On his social media, he regularly provides updates about his recovery process and has also posted a clip of him hitting balls on the court.

Jaume Munar calls Novak Djokovic an absolute beast

Spanish ace Jaume Munar, in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, produced impressive performances during the Davis Cup Finals. He played three singles, winning one, in the quarterfinal against the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/AllAboutHQ)

After his defeat to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, Munar couldn’t keep Spain’s hopes alive in the final against Italy, as he suffered a three-set defeat at the hands of Flavio Cobolli, whose win ensured his team its third consecutive Davis Cup title. Recently, during an interview with Radio Marca Mallorca, Munar was asked whether he wants to prolong his career like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

To this, Munar said that although he wants to, everything will depend on how his body holds up. He then lauded the Serb because of what he is doing at the age of 38.

It’s true that we see Djokovic, who’s 38, the guy’s still there. It’s true he’s no longer No.1 in the world, but I think he’s in the top 10 and he’s an absolute beast.

Djokovic played the semifinals of all four Majors this year, retiring mid-match at the Australian Open against Zverev, while at the French Open and Wimbledon, Jannik Sinner knocked him out. At the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz defeated him. He took home two ATP 250 titles in Geneva and Athens.

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