Getting To Know: Holger Rune

Last Word On Tennis had the pleasure to sit down with this year’s Roland Garros Boys Singles Champion, Holger Rune, after his match in the under-21 invitational tournament in Hamburg. The 16-year-old Dane is currently world No.2 on the ITF Juniors Ranking and is for sure the future of men’s tennis.

We cover a range of topics such as his passion for tennis, his ultimate dream in professional tennis, his idols and much more. The video and the transcript of the interview is below.

Transcript with Holger Rune

Q: Holger, it wasn’t the result you wanted in the last match. But you played two matches today. It’s been a good week would you say?

Holger: Yeah. It’s been a really good week. I started really well, the round-robin rounds. I played aggressive, played my game from all the different matches- made some good results. Happy with first few wins. And then disappointed with the last one.

Q: You’re playing Fast4 format here, do you have to change your game a lot when playing this type of format?

Holger: Yeah, I think I have to adjust. You have to be really ready from the start. Like for every point, in your service game, in your return game. You can’t give anything away. So you need to stay focused all the time. Continue to play your game and to keep it up all the time.

Q: You’re only 16, so obviously, the tennis world doesn’t really know much about you. Can you tell me how you started playing tennis? Did you come from a tennis family?

Holger: No, I don’t come from a tennis family. I come from a mum and dad who didn’t play tennis. I started when I was six years old. In Denmark, we do a lot of sports. I love it (tennis).

Q: I saw your mum on court, does she travel with you a lot?

Holger: Yeah, she travels with me a lot.

Q: How would you describe your playing style to people who haven’t watched you? What’s your favourite shot?

Holger: Aggressive. Coming into the net. I like to hit [the] forehand. Yeah, play aggressively towards the line. See the right ball and then really finish.

Q: What is your ultimate goal in tennis?

Holger: My dream is to win every Grand Slam.

Be world no 1?

Holger: Exactly.

6) What has been your biggest achievement in tennis? Winning Roland Garros in May?

Yeah, I won the European Championships two times as a team, and one time as an individual. And then Roland Garros, because it’s one of the four biggest events.

Q: I was wondering before Roland Garros started, was your goal to win it? Or was your to make quarterfinals or semifinals and would’ve been happy? Or was your goal to win?

Holger: I mean 64 players in the main draw- everyone wants to win. Of course, I want to win. But I was really focused all the time, playing my game plan, and I was really focused. I was really there (in the zone) all the time, all the points. It went my way so I’m really happy about that.

Q: Do you have any plans of being a pro?

Holger: Yeah of course. I’m going to start with some pro tournaments now. I’m going to do some holidays now. But after that, I would start with the pros, and probably start with the US Open and Masters. And then that’s it for the Juniors.

10 Quick Questions

Favorite country and city? I would say… I really like Mexico, Merida. Yeah. It’s a nice city.
Favorite movie? It’s a tough one… James Bond.
Who were your idols growing up? Roger Federer
If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be, besides Roger Federer. It doesn’t have to be tennis. I’d like to meet Cristiano Ronaldo.
Favorite surface? Clay.
How many languages do you speak? I speak two. Danish and English. I learned a little bit of French and Spanish.
Describe yourself in three words. I have a big ego, I am really passionate- that’s what I do. And I love tennis.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I watch movies- James Bond movies. Watch tennis and chill with my family.
What other sports do you enjoy watching? I enjoy watching basketball.
What motivates you? It’s every day if I work hard and do really focus on the details, I know I can be number one in the world. So I focus on these things.