Holger Rune Sets Ambitious Goals for 2025, Aiming to Challenge Sinner and Alcaraz

Holger Rune, the Danish tennis sensation, made waves in 2022 by clinching the Paris Masters title as a teenager. However, his journey since then has been marked by ups and downs, both on and off the court. Despite facing challenges, including a revolving door of high-profile coaches, Rune remains confident about his potential to rise to the top tier of men’s tennis.

In an exclusive interview with Tennis365 at the UTS Grand Final in London, Rune laid out his vision for 2025. He expressed determination to compete with the likes of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev for Grand Slam titles and major tournament victories.

Small Adjustments, Big Goals

When asked about the changes needed to elevate his game, Rune emphasized that significant overhauls are unnecessary.“It’s not like I need to change everything in my game. It’s just small adjustments,” he explained.

He highlighted recent efforts to refine his techniques during exhibition events with Casper Ruud and at UTS. Rune drew inspiration from Alexander Zverev’s resurgence post-injury, noting that the German star’s improvements have made him a serious Grand Slam contender again.“My next step is not to win a particular tournament. It’s just to maximize my potential, and I believe if I can do that, I can win Grand Slams,” Rune confidently stated.

The Edge of Sinner and Alcaraz

Rune praised Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for their dominance in 2024, recognizing their completeness as players.“Sinner has been a very complete player this year. Alcaraz, when playing his best, also seems complete, but they still have areas to improve,” Rune observed.

He noted that the constant room for improvement in tennis keeps the sport exciting and expressed optimism about joining their ranks soon.

Thoughts on Djokovic and Murray Partnership

The conversation also touched on the surprising partnership between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, as Murray takes on a coaching role for Djokovic at the Australian Open. Rune admitted the pairing was unexpected but acknowledged its potential.“It’s an interesting setup for sure. I don’t think many of us saw it coming, but it could be very good for both of them,” Rune commented.

He speculated that Djokovic, after achieving his Olympic goals this year, might now focus on adding a few more Grand Slam titles to his illustrious career.

Preparing for the New Season

Rune is putting in significant effort to prepare for 2025, using exhibition events like the UTS Grand Final as an unconventional yet effective training ground.“Playing UTS is great practice. It’s different from the ATP Tour, but you learn a lot,” he explained.

Rune also highlighted the physical benefits of the unique UTS rules, such as increased cardio and forced rallies, which enhance fitness and footwork.

Perspectives on In-Game Coaching

Discussing the role of coaching during matches, Rune expressed a balanced view.“It’s fine, but I also like that the player out there is doing his thing and making decisions on his own. At the end of the day, everyone was coaching from the sidelines anyway, so it’s good that it’s legal now,” Rune shared.

Aiming for Tennis Glory

Holger Rune’s vision for 2025 is ambitious yet grounded. By focusing on refining his skills and drawing inspiration from his peers, Rune aims to close the gap between himself and tennis’s current elite. With a strong work ethic and a clear strategy, Rune is poised to re-establish himself as a top contender in the sport, challenging the likes of Sinner, Alcaraz, and Zverev on the world stage.