Holger Rune has called for the next generation to “step up” and end Novak Djokovic’s domination of men’s tennis in 2024. And the great Dane reckons hiring the Serb’s former coach Boris Becker will push him to reach the next level. Ahead of the Australian Open, Rune has insisted he wants to help get Djokovic “out of there”.
Only Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon triumph stopped Djokovic from completing a calendar Grand Slam last year. And the world No. 1, who turns 37 in May, is the red-hot favourite to win his 11th Australian Open – and a record 25th Major title – in Melbourne this month.
World No. 8 Rune beat Djokovic for a second time at the Rome Masters last summer while world No. 4 Jannik Sinner won twice against the Serb in November. World No. 2 Alcaraz now has two Grand Slam titles. But Rune, 20, admitted: “We’ve got to step up.
“We’ve got to do it not just one time but more regularly because I beat him this year, Sinner beat him, but he is still winning three out of four Grand Slams and maybe he almost won Wimbledon also. So we’re not there yet. So we need to be there and do everything we can to get him out of there.
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“I have never beaten him in a Slam. Nothing is impossible but I think it’s harder. He feels comfortable in Grand Slams, best of five sets, he has the experience of a long time. He knows that if he is two sets to love down he can still come back.
“I think more, not many players, but a few more players can meet him in best of three but in Grand Slams I would say it’s not even a handful.”
Rune hired Becker in October after suffering a slump in form in the months after reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The German coached Djokovic from 2013 to 2016 when the Serb won six Grand Slams.
“I believe I can be a multiple Grand Slam champion,” Rune said. “I know it’s going to take a lot of work and I’ve been doing my work in the pre-season so far, and been really, really willing to improve. With Boris, It’s more mental and tactical than technical, I would say.
“Sometimes he says ‘Take your time between points, no rush’. Of course, he has a few tips, especially on the serve. He had a great serve himself but it’s a lot psychological.” Rune will play the final of the Brisbane International on Sunday as he looks to win a fifth ATP title.
