Holger Rune has explained how much of a positive influence Novak Djokovic has been throughout the Dane’s career, with the 20-year-old especially thankful for the guidance shown by the 24-time Grand Slam champion when Rune was a budding tennis starlet.
World No. 7 Rune has met Djokovic on five occasions, winning twice while the Serb took the other three. But went out of his way to praise the 36-year-old in Monte Carlo, sharing a story from during his Challenger days when he perhaps was not expecting one of tennis’ top players to offer some sage wisdom.
But Djokovic instead was more than happy to take some time with Rune and not only share tips on how to improve, but additionally was curious about Rune’s career up to that point before joking that the Serb was “human” and not a “superhero” as the youngster had jokingly theorised.
“He has taught me a lot,” Rune explained. “He has always been very nice to me. I remember that we trained here about five years ago, before I started playing Challengers, and he was very interested, asking questions, giving me advice and also opening up about what his career was like.
“For such a young player, that means a lot. He is one of the best of all time and feeling that he wants to help you is incredible. I admire him a lot, also for this. He gave me advice on a mental level, because he is a beast, but he told me that he was human, not a superhero. He also feels the emotions that we all feel, he just manages them in a different way compared to the rest of the players.
“He told me that’s one of the reasons he was more successful than everyone else. It’s impressive to see him, the same with Rafa (Nadal) and Roger (Federer). They are impressive.”
However, Rune continued by admitting that Djokovic no longer gives him advice as he sees the youngster as a peer now and wants to continue performing against the new generation of stars.
“My relationship with Novak is different now, we are competing,” Rune added. “I’ve beaten him twice, so he doesn’t give me advice anymore. He’s a nice person.”
Rune begins his Monte Carlo campaign against either Matteo Arnaldi or Emil Ruusuvuouri and can face an in-form Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Djokovic will open against Roman Safiullin or a qualifier and is in the same half of the draw as Carlos Alcaraz, with a mouthwatering prospect of the pair meeting at the semi-final stage.
Djokovic has recently split with his coach Goran Ivanisevic after a disappointing start to the 2024 season and Rune, who reached the final in Monte Carlo last year but was defeated by Andrey Rublev, will hope to heed Djokovic’s advice and go one step further this month.
