Holger Rune partnered with Patrick Mouratoglou in late 2022 and the Frenchman guided Rune to immense success as the Dane broke into the top ten of the ATP rankings. While their partnership had proved monumental in Rune’s career, the months following the 2023 Wimbledon have seen Rune’s form-free fall.
Not content with his state of play, Rune fired Patrick and spent a few weeks traveling without a coach. In October, Rune created headlines when he hired tennis legend Boris Becker as his new coach and their partnership has won applause from various people who expect a bright future for the youngster.
Paul Annacone hails Rune and Becker’s tennis partnership
Holger Rune had little time to spend with Boris Becker as he flew halfway across the world from Shanghai to Basel, Switzerland, to participate in the Swiss Indoors Open. It is their first tournament together as coach-players, and Boris has quickly stamped his authority by making significant changes to Rune’s play.
Roger Federer’s ex-coach Paul Annacone opines that the Rune-Becker partnership is a “match made in heaven” and that both professionals were bound to succeed as a team.
Speaking to Tennis Channel, Annacone viewed Boris Becker as the new parental figure in Rune’s life who would help the 20-year-old win tournaments.
“Look what’s the coaching situation is to me, it’s not always who it is, it’s the way they combine, so you really don’t know. This is, this should be a match made in heaven because of the way both of these guys go about their business,” he said.
Annacone’s comments would bolster Rune’s confidence as the American is a legendary figure in the coaching world, having guided Pete Sampras to grand slam successes and also oversaw Federer’s rise to the top.
Meanwhile, Holger Rune is busy finding his form back in Basel where he has reached the semifinals. The Dane has spent the past few weeks competing in a new look while embracing his inner rogue.
Holger Rune embracing his bad boy image
Holger Rune is no Nick Kyrgios in terms of brash on-court behaviour, but the Dane has faced his fair share of controversies. Fans will remember his fight with Casper Ruud at the French Open, where Rune claimed Ruud was over-the-top in celebration and gave a cold handshake at the net after his loss. Rune has also clashed with match officials many times in the past.
These behaviours have led fans to label him as a troublemaker but the Dane couldn’t care less and even embraced his bad boy image.
“I really like my reputation. I like my state of mind, I’m a fighter, everyone says it, it’s a good reputation. It’s fun. When I lose a match I’m sad and angry, it’s normal. But I have many friends in the locker room. There is a lot of jealousy in life, that’s all I can say,” Rune said in an interview with the newspaper L’Equipe.
Rune will look to maintain his aggressive mindset and tenacious attitude when he faces Felix Auger Aliassime in the semifinals on Saturday.
What are your opinions on Boris Becker’s influence on Holger Rune, as witnessed by his immediate uptick in form? Let us know in the comments section below.
