Holger Rune ignores criticism on faking injuries and shows his sportsmanship with classy message to Botic van de Zandschulp

Rune consoles van de Zandschulp after epic comeback win at the Munich Open 2023

Holger Rune ignores criticism on faking injuries and shows his sportsmanship with classy message to Botic van de Zandschulp

Holger Rune and Botic van de Zandschulp (Credits: ATP Tours)

Holger Rune successfully defended his title at the Munich Open on April 23, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in a thrilling match. Although van de Zandschulp had opportunities to win the match, he was unable to do so, and Rune emerged as the winner with a final score of 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(3). The match was considered one of the most exciting of the season, as Rune made an impressive comeback from the brink of defeat. After the match, the Danish player praised van de Zandschulp’s game and offered him consolation.

Van de Zandschulp expressed his disappointment on social media, tweeting “This one hurts“. Rune demonstrated good sportsmanship by responding empathetically to his opponent’s tweet saying “Man I know. I was there last week up almost 5-1 in the final and loosing in Monaco. Good things coming. You play incredibly“.

He shared that he had experienced a similar situation in the previous week’s 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters final, where he lost to Andrey Rublev despite being up 4-1 in the third set. Rune encouraged van de Zandschulp, stating that good things were on the horizon and that he played exceptionally well.

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Rune’s reputation on the tour has been marred by his feuds with other players and confrontations with umpires and the crowd. However, his gracious response to Botic van de Zandschulp‘s defeat highlights his ability to display sportsmanship when it counts. The Munich Open victory is Rune’s second career title and positions him favorably for the remainder of the season.

Also Read: “Only 19, but people expect him to behave with the wisdom of Dalai Lama!” – Holger Rune fans lash back at haters calling his injury fake in Munich Open final

Young Star Holger Rune Defends ATP 250 Crown in Munich Open

Holger Rune
Holger Rune (Credits: ATP Tours)

Holger Rune produced an incredible comeback to win the BMW Open by American Express on Sunday, defending his title and earning his fourth tour-level title. Despite battling an upper right arm issue and being down 2-5, 40/15 in the third set against Botic van de Zandschulp, Rune rallied to save four championship points and win the tie-break 7-3. The match was played on clay and marked Rune’s ninth consecutive win at the ATP 250 level.

“I was feeling really exhausted but I was fighting until the end and I tried everything I could to come back into the match,” Rune said. “I think for the crowd it was the perfect final. We really pushed each other to the limit and I am super happy I defended the title today.”

This win also made Rune the first player to successfully defend an ATP Tour title in 2023. Despite his physical struggles, the 19-year-old showcased his determination and tenacity on the court. His impressive record on clay suggests he is a formidable force on the surface, and his recent victory in Munich sets him up well for the rest of the season.

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