Richard Krajicek is arguably the most successful Dutch tennis player ever. The former world No. 4 won Wimbledon in 1996, and in this exclusive interview Bolavip brings his view on some of the most interesting debates in tennis.

The state of the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner

For more than a decade, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were competing for all the Grand Slams and had a big rivalry, but in recent years a new rivalry has appeared in tennis. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the two best players in the world and are currently sitting on the throne, which Krajicek didn’t expect to happen.

“Alcaraz and Sinner are both unbelievable players and they have an unbelievable rivalry. I certainly didn’t expect this to happen to tennis after Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. It is like a miracle,” Krajicek begins the interview with Bolavip in Rotterdam. He says he was a bit worried about what the state of tennis would be like in the new era after the Big Three.

“Of course, we still have Djokovic left. I want to say this is his last year, but with him you never know, probably he has three years left in him. But I was starting to think about what tennis is going to look like, even being a bit worried, and then these two guys arrived on the stage.”

Despite being different types of players and personalities, Krajicek enjoys watching both of them. He says: “Of course, they are very different. Alcaraz is very outgoing and has a lot of variety, whereas Sinner is more introverted and disciplined. Both of them are so popular and are playing amazing tennis, so I never expected this to happen so quickly after the Big Three.”

Krajicek explained further that Sinner, in his opinion, was better than Alcaraz last year, noting that he could just as well have won the French Open, as he had three match points before Alcaraz delivered a sensational comeback.

“Head to head Sinner is behind, but I have to say that in the middle of last year, Sinner was the better player. I mean, he basically won the French Open. I know he didn’t, but you know what I mean,” Krajicek said before explaining that he experienced a change, saying that Sinner played the US Open final completely wrong.

“But then something changed and at the US Open I think Sinner was playing the match completely wrong. He was going for way too many big shots. He was hitting so hard on his forehand and missing all the time. To me that was a sign of how much respect he has for Alcaraz.”

Alcaraz has seven Grand Slam titles, while Sinner has four, but despite this fact, Krajicek says that he considers the players to be on the same level: “For me, Alcaraz and Sinner are on the same level, but somehow I get the feeling Alcaraz is a bit ahead of him right now and Sinner is frustrated because he feels like he needs to go bigger and bigger to win points.”

The former Wimbledon champion believes Alcaraz and Sinner will keep battling each other for the major trophies, as they will constantly improve and push each other to become better players, while he also praised Alcaraz for his accomplishment of completing the career Grand Slam as the youngest player ever.

“I think it will continue to be like this all the time. At one point Alcaraz is better, then Sinner will become better and that continues happening, but in that way they can really push each other. I don’t see someone just running away with all the trophies all of a sudden.

“It was extremely important for Alcaraz to win the Australian Open because he needed those points and the way he did it was out of this world. Of course, it was amazing as well to see how he became the youngest ever to complete the Career Grand Slam. What he did physically and mentally was an amazing accomplishment.”

Federer is the greatest ever but Djokovic is the best

Many tennis fans around the world have probably already noticed that Alcaraz has multiple times in recent years changed his serve, and the most recent change came during the pre-season in 2026, where he changed his service motion in a way that is now very similar to the one Novak Djokovic has had for years, and Krajicek says that is something he particularly likes about the Spaniard.

“What I like about Alcaraz is that he is improving all the time, when he sees that he has to. He improved his serve because he had the feeling that he was chasing Sinner and needed to do that. That is very impressive to me. In that sense, he reminds me a lot of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, because they always found a way to improve and beat each other.”

Novak Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles, Rafael Nadal has 22 and Roger Federer has 20, but Krajicek believes that both Alcaraz and Sinner have the potential to beat Djokovic’s Grand Slam record. However, there is a small question in terms of longevity that they still have to prove.

“Both of them have the potential to beat Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam record, but the big question is whether they will have careers that last 15 years or longer. That is the only question, because level-wise and mentality-wise they are both able to do it. In my opinion, they are at that level. But the special thing with Djokovic, Federer and Nadal was that they all played more than 15 years at the top, and we don’t know if they are able to do that.”

One of the debates that always comes up in tennis is who the Greatest Of All Time is. Arguably, Djokovic has already closed this debate with his numbers, and some people are even calling him the greatest athlete of all time. However, Krajicek believes that the debate is not only about numbers when speaking about the greatest player.

“I was talking to a friend of mine and we discussed who the greatest and the best athlete of all time is. I think there is a big difference between being the greatest and the best. If we just talk about tennis, to be the greatest is something extra. That is about what somebody meant for the game and for me the greatest tennis player of all time is Roger Federer.”

“What he has done for the game and his popularity say it all, but the best tennis player in history is Novak Djokovic. Without a doubt, I actually think that debate is very clear,” Krajicek says on the GOAT debate.

Rune can come back and win Grand Slams

One of the players who was expected to compete for a top spot in the rankings and Grand Slams was Danish player Holger Rune, but he has yet to do either, and currently he is out with a serious injury, as he tore his Achilles tendon last year in October. Krajicek himself was sidelined for 20 months in the later stages of his career, and the Dutchman has a few pieces of advice for the Dane.

“Maybe my advice would be to stay patient. The biggest mistake I made after being sidelined for 20 months following my elbow surgery was that I came back too quickly. I should have waited at least one more year, at least until I was fully fit. If I could go back in time, I would change it. The stop and start is not good physically or mentally.”

“Mentally I was struggling a lot, because these injuries are horrible. It is better to break something, because then you can take three or six months off, then it will be healed and everything is okay. He has to listen to the doctors and not rush back to the court. Mentally, going back to zero again is the toughest part, so he needs to be 100 percent fit when coming back.”

Krajicek underlined that you lose more than you win by rushing a comeback. He has to trust his body and be 100 percent sure everything is working again. Again, he needs to be patient, maybe even take two months longer than needed, because you lose much more than you win by speeding up the process.

Rune has multiple times explicitly said that he has very good doctors around him and that people should not be worried about him rushing a comeback. He is currently doing his rehab at the Aspetar Hospital in Qatar after having had his surgery and parts of his rehabilitation in Denmark. The surgery was done by the famous Danish doctor Morten Boesen.

Krajicek was clear when speaking about what to expect from Rune when he returns to tennis: “It is not going to be any problem at all for him to come back into the top five and win Grand Slams. He has the level and of course it will take a little bit of time, but Holger is an incredibly hard worker, so for me that is not a problem for him at all.”

The Dutchman is clearly impressed with Rune. However, he can recognize what the Dane has said prior to his injury about him not always being sure about his shot selection, as he has so many shots to choose from due to his qualities as a player.

“Holger always has a lot of options on the court because of his amazing level, especially on the backhand side. You never know if he will go crosscourt, hit it hard down the line, make a dropshot or something else. Sometimes that can be difficult as a very talented player, because when you are able to hit so many shots, the decision making can be hard.

“That is definitely something he has to work on, but he will manage. It was simple for me, because I did not have as many qualities. I just had to serve and come to the net,” Krajicek said before giving Rune one last advice:

“I actually have one piece of advice for him, which might be the most important one. During his injury, he has to watch a lot of tennis. I know he might suffer doing it, but he has to watch a lot of videos, especially of himself, Alcaraz and Sinner. He needs to analyze what they are doing and how he can do it.”

“This is not about technique, because he is already so technically gifted, but it is about strategy on the court. That helped me a lot mentally. I was trying to visualise myself doing what they did,” Krajicek concludes the interview with Bolavip.

Whether Rune will come back and compete with Alcaraz and Sinner, only time will tell, but one thing is sure. Krajicek believes in him and he believes that the current state of tennis is very good, with especially Alcaraz and Sinner on top at the moment.

When looking at the ATP leaderboard, which shows stats from the different seasons, Rune’s return rating has gone significantly up and in that aspect of the game he ranks as number 27 in the last 52 weeks compared to number 63 in 2024.

That is something that Rune has noticed as well, and now he says that Andre Agassi loved the Dane’s return when they practised together in Washington during the summer.

‘Agassi loved my return’

Rune points out that he knew he was underperforming on his return last season, which is why he and his team were putting a lot of effort into that part of his game in the pre-season.

“I’ve always felt that my return has been really good and one of my biggest strengths. It had a bit of a downfall last year, where I didn’t return as well as I know I can. But especially in the last pre-season, we put a lot of work into the return game to improve the statistics, as you also pointed out,” Rune says and continues:

“It’s always nice to see that the things you work on are improving. I’m also starting to gain more and more confidence to put a bit more weight into my returns and try to put more pressure on the opponent’s second serve.”

Agassi was arguably the best returner of his time and still stands as one of the greatest ever in that discipline, and Rune revealed that the American in particular liked that part of his game.

“Agassi and I talked a lot about my return when we trained together. He really loved it,” he added. “As you say, he had an absolutely insane return, so we could really have some good conversations. Right now, though, I’m mostly in contact with my own team and the people who are close to me.”

Nick Kyrgios coming back would be good for tennis

“Nick Kyrgios has always been very nice to me, so we’ve always had a really good relationship. I don’t know if he’s coming back, but it would be good for tennis because he’s always had some very exciting matches.”

“His top level, back when he played against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, was insanely high, so you have to respect that,” Rune said. “I know he’s struggling a lot with his body, so that’s probably the biggest thing he has to overcome. Whether he does or not, time will tell.”

In 2023 the two of them had an exhibition match planned, however Kyrgios was forced to cancel as he got an injury in his foot. For now, a new exhibition match is not planned between the two, but Rune seems ready for the challenge.

“We haven’t talked about a new exhibition match, although that would be fun. I ended up playing one against Monfils instead. Insanely cool guy, whom unfortunately we’ll only get to see for one more year on the Tour,” Rune ends to Bolavip.

On Friday, the Dane is facing Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry. They have faced each other three times, but only one time on the ATP Tour, which Rune won in a very close match in Basel.

Holger Rune’s season has been full of ups and downs. On one hand, he won the title in Barcelona and reached the final at the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.

On the other hand, the season has also included several setbacks, among them two early exits at the latest Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon and the US Open.

The lack of consistency has prompted the Dane to test the waters and try out a new racket. But when Bolavip asked him about it, he didn’t want to reveal too much although he did confirm that he is currently testing different rackets.

“That’s true… It’s a good question… I need to think about how I want to answer that. It’s fine, you’re allowed to ask, but yeah… I’ve tried a few different rackets to see what suits me best. That’s all I have to say about it,” Rune told Bolavip.

‘I know I can beat Alcaraz and Sinner’

Holger Rune has been very clear about what he desires. The former junior Grand Slam winner wants to be world No. 1 and win Grand Slam titles.

That hasn’t happened yet, and speaking to BolaVip, the Dane admits that he sometimes feels a bit lost on the court when it comes to finding his identity.

“I feel like I’m lacking some consistency in my identity as a tennis player. Often, I go into matches with a relatively offensive mindset, while other times I come in with a grinder’s mindset,” Rune told Bolavip, and continued:

“That’s the danger. When I’m able to hit so many different shots on a tennis court, it can also be a bit confusing. I try to keep it as simple as possible.”

Still, this doesn’t shake his belief that he can dethrone Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

“Of course it’s inspiring to see Carlos (Alcaraz, ed.) and Jannik (Sinner, ed.) play at that level, but I also know that I can beat them,” the Dane concluded to Bolavip.

Davis Cup without Alcaraz

For now, however, Holger Rune won’t be facing the world No. 1, as the Spaniard withdrew from the Davis Cup. This makes the Dane the highest-ranked player across both teams from Spain and Denmark.

The first match will be played on Saturday, with Holger Rune opening against Pablo Carreno Busta.

Following his surprising exit from the US Open at the hands of Jan-Lennard Struff, Rune said Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev are the most likely candidates to prevent another Sinner-Alcaraz showdown in New York.

“It’s just hard to win Grand Slam tournaments,” Rune admitted in his press conference. “Now it will probably be another final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Apart from them, it is probably only Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev who can win”.

The numbers back up Rune’s claim. Alcaraz has collected titles at Roland Garros (2024, 2025) and Wimbledon (2024), while Sinner has won the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025, the 2024 US Open, and most recently Wimbledon in 2025, defeating Alcaraz in the final.

As the season’s final Slam progresses, both top-ranked players continue to march forward. Sinner advanced to the Round of 16 after a four-set win over Denis Shapovalov and will next face the winner of Tommy Paul vs Alexander Bublik. Alcaraz also booked a spot in the Round of 16 with a victory over Luciano Darderi and will meet France’s Arthur Rinderknech.

Djokovic and Zverev’s US Open path

The players highlighted by Rune as potential challengers to Sinner and Alcaraz remain firmly in contention at the US Open. Djokovic continues his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title and is set to face Jan-Lennard Struff in the Round of 16.

Zverev, meanwhile, finds himself in a very different position from the Serbian star but with a clear goal of his own: to capture the first Grand Slam title of his career. The German faces a difficult test tonight against Felix Auger-Aliassime, with a potential Round of 16 showdown against Andrey Rublev if he advances.

In Monday’s first-round clash, Bonzi showed impressive composure and shot-making to overcome Medvedev 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. Playing under sweltering conditions, the World No. 64 was in command from the baseline and delivered an unrelenting service game. It marks a significant milestone for the Frenchman, while continuing a troubling trend for Medvedev, who has now lost in the early rounds of all three majors this season.

The defeat is particularly damaging for Medvedev’s ATP ranking. Coming into Wimbledon as the world No. 10, the Russian was defending 790 points from his semifinal run last year. By failing to advance past the first round, those points drop off his total, causing him a predicted slip to No. 14 in the ATP Rankings.

He also falls to 16th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, jeopardizing his chances of qualifying for the year-end Nitto ATP Finals—a tournament he won in 2020. The setback is made more puzzling by his strong showing in Halle just weeks ago, where he reached the final.

Tsitsipas, Rune Also Eliminated in First Round

Medvedev wasn’t the only top player to suffer an early departure at Wimbledon this year. Eighth seed Holger Rune was also knocked out in the opening round, losing to Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in a five-set thriller: 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

In another blow to the top seeds, Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is currently World No. 26, was forced to retire from his match against French qualifier Valentin Royer. The Greek star trailed 6-3, 6-2 and had taken a medical timeout for a back injury during the second set before calling it quits.

With two of the top seeds already out, the door is open for more surprises along the way. However, unlike Medvedev, both Tsitsipas and Rune didn’t have much points to defend, so they will remain in their spots for now.

Holger Rune has quickly carved out a name for himself on the ATP Tour, blending bold talent with a fiery on-court presence. Hailing from Denmark, the rising star brings both elegance and intensity to every match he plays.

Behind the powerful forehand and fearless returns lies a fascinating story—one shaped by an ambitious mother, early fame in Europe, and a relentless pursuit of greatness. His journey to tennis stardom is anything but ordinary.

With headlines often linking him to high-profile coaches, his off-court life has become as intriguing as his game. From family ties to coaching shakeups, the layers of his career reveal a player far from one-dimensional.

How old is Holger Rune?

Born on April 29, 2003, in Gentofte, Demark, Holger Vitus Nødskov Rune is currently 22 years old. Turning professional in 2020, he swiftly climbed the ATP rankings, reaching a career-high of No. 4 in August 2023.

How tall is Holger Rune?

Holger Rune stands at 1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches), a height that complements his aggressive baseline play and powerful serve. His physical attributes have been instrumental in his rapid ascent in the tennis world.

Holger Rune’s family

Holger hails from a supportive family deeply involved in his tennis journey. His mother, Aneke Rune, serves as his manager and has been a constant presence in his career. His father, Anders Nødskov, is an entrepreneur, and his sister, Alma, initially introduced him to tennis before pursuing a career in modeling.

Is Holger Rune single?

No, he’s not single! Holger Rune’s personal life garnered attention when he began dating Caroline Donzella, a half-Italian, half-Dutch fashion model and CEO of the Monte-Carlo Estates Group.

Donzella, who holds a degree in Communications and Entertainment Management from the International University of Monaco, has also appeared on the Italian television show “Avanti un Altro”.

The couple made their relationship public in mid-2023, sharing glimpses of their life together on social media. Donzella has been a supportive presence at his matches, often seen cheering him on from the stands during significant tournaments.

Who is the coach of Holger Rune?

Holger Rune’s coaching journey has seen collaborations with several notable figures. In October 2023, he enlisted six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker as his coach. Their partnership aimed to bring experience and strategic depth to Rune’s game.

However, by February 2024, Becker stepped down, citing “private and professional responsibilities” that limited his ability to commit fully to the role. Following Becker’s departure, he reunited with his former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.

The duo had previously worked together during his successful run at the 2022 Paris Masters. Their renewed collaboration was marked by a shared vision for his development and a focus on upcoming tournaments in Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami.

Holger Rune’s career highlights

• ATP Debut and Early Spark (2020): Rune made his ATP main draw debut at the 2020 Argentina Open after receiving a wildcard into qualifying. Though he didn’t make a deep run, it marked the beginning of his transition from junior phenom to pro contender.

• Roland Garros Junior Champion (2019): Before hitting the big leagues, Rune won the 2019 French Open Boys’ Singles title, hinting early at his comfort on clay and his potential to become a future Slam contender.

• First ATP Title in Munich (2022): Rune claimed his maiden ATP title at the Bavarian International in Munich. The win wasn’t just symbolic — he defeated Alexander Zverev (then world No. 3) on the way, signaling his arrival as a threat to the top ranks.

• Breakthrough at Paris Masters (2022): Arguably his most iconic performance came at the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters. Rune stunned the field, defeating five top-10 players, including Novak Djokovic in the final, to claim the title. At just 19, he became the youngest champion in the tournament’s history.

• Consistency at Grand Slams: Rune reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2022 and 2023, and Wimbledon in 2023, showing his adaptability across surfaces. These runs helped him earn a spot among the elite and seeded positions in major tournaments.

• Career-High Ranking – World No. 4 (August 2023): Following a stellar 12-month stretch, Rune broke into the ATP top 5, achieving his career-high No. 4 in singles. The climb was backed by his fearless playstyle and victories over names like Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Rublev.

• 2025 Barcelona Open Champion: In one of the most anticipated finals of the clay season, Rune defeated Carlos Alcaraz on his home turf in Barcelona, silencing critics and confirming his ability to handle high-pressure showdowns.

Holger Rune has gone from promising junior to headline-making force on the ATP Tour. The Danish prodigy, known for his fierce backhand and fiery attitude, has quickly climbed the rankings—and with that, his financial game has followed.

Born in 2003 and already a fixture in Grand Slam draws, he is part of a new generation shaking up men’s tennis. With high-profile wins, he is not only turning heads on court but also building serious wealth off it.

But just how much has he earned from his rising career in tennis? Between prize money, endorsements and global attention, the numbers are stacking up—though not without controversy or challenge.

What is Holger Rune’s net worth?

The Danish tennis prodigy Holger Rune has swiftly climbed the ATP rankings and, with it, the financial ladder. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at approximately $6 million, according to Sportskeeda.

His residence in Monte Carlo, Monaco underscores his integration into the sport’s upper echelons. His aggressive baseline play and notable victories, including a Masters 1000 title at the 2022 Paris Masters, have not only earned him accolades but also substantial financial rewards.

While his growing fortune may not yet rival the sport’s top earners, his trajectory suggests a promising financial future, bolstered by both prize money and endorsement deals, as Mac Issues reported.

Holger Rune’s career earnings

Holger Rune’s game has teeth—and it pays. Since turning pro, the Danish star has collected over $12.5 million in prize money, according to the official ATP Tour site. His breakout year in 2022 set the tone, but it was 2024 that brought a windfall.

That year alone, he pocketed over $4 million, including a staggering $1.38 million from a single exhibition match—the now-infamous Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia. It was a 72-minute showcase that sparked both admiration and controversy, but he laughed all the way to the bank.

The financial rewards continued into 2025. His title run in Barcelona not only reinforced his clay-court credentials but also earned him another healthy check. Each ATP title adds not just to his legacy, but to a fast-growing fortune that’s setting him apart in a competitive field.

Holger Rune’s endorsements

Beyond prize money, Holger Rune’s marketability has attracted several high-profile endorsements. He has secured deals with major brands such as Nike (apparel and footwear), Babolat (tennis equipment) and Rolex (watches).

Additionally, partnerships with Shamballa Jewels, STATE Drinks, PurePower and Tennium highlight his appeal across diverse markets. While specific figures from these endorsements remain undisclosed, they undoubtedly contribute significantly to his overall income.

These collaborations not only enhance his financial standing but also cement his status as a global sports personality. As he continues to ascend in the tennis world, his off-court ventures are poised to grow in tandem, reflecting his dual success as an athlete and a brand ambassador.

“Definitely Novak has been really, really nice to me all my career,” Rune said during a press conference this week. The Danish player specifically recalled his first interactions with Djokovic at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals, when he was just 16 years old and helped warm up the participating stars.

“He was really kind to me. He was giving me advice and stuff like that. I really appreciated that,” Holger said. “He’s obviously one of the best that we’ve had. It feels like a big privilege that he has been so nice.”

The current World No. 10 then spoke about one piece of advice from Djokovic that stood out. “One specific thing he told me… I think in general young players as they grow up, they get more power and they’re more excited about their power. I feel like sometimes you go for all or nothing,” Rune explained.

“He said him, personally, he would suggest to me never to go more than 70, 80 percent on every shot, to make sure it’s safe enough, but still with good quality,” Holger revealed. “I think his game shows pretty good that he’s not risking much, but at the same time he has tremendous quality on his shots. That’s one thing he told me.”

Rune vs Djokovic

Sixteen years separate Novak Djokovic from Rune, so much of the Serbian star’s career played out before Holger began his own professional journey. Still, the rapid rise of the Danish player has led to several head-to-head clashes in recent years.

In total, Djokovic and Rune have faced each other six times, with Novak holding a narrow 4–2 advantage. The former World No. 1 won both of their Grand Slam meetings—at the 2021 US Open and Wimbledon in 2024. However, Holger claimed the win in their only final matchup, at the 2022 Paris Masters 1000.

Rune targets Roland Garros

Despite his high standing in the current ATP Rankings, Holger Rune’s recent performances have fallen short of expectations. He was knocked out in the Round of 32 at the Rome Masters 1000 by Corentin Moutet and was forced to retire from his Madrid Open debut against Flavio Cobolli due to physical issues.

Given that context, the Danish player now looks to make a strong showing at Roland Garros. “Feeling good again,” he said in his pre-tournament press conference ahead of his opening match against Roberto Bautista Agut, according to Tennis.com. “It’s been not ideal clay preparation for me, but I’m happy to be here in Paris. It’s a tournament that I love so much… Had a good practice week so far, so I’m just looking forward to start.”

“I don’t want to say anything controversial, but I might have been a little bit more serious than him in juniors,” Rune said of Alcaraz in a recent interview shared by Tennis.com. “But he’s catching up and is very serious now,” the Danish player later clarified.

“In juniors, you could see his potential, his talent, everything. He was an amazing player,” added Holger, who is the same age as Carlos and has known him for a long time. Speaking about Alcaraz’s more laid-back style, Rune said: “Of course, Spanish people live differently than Danish people. It’s a different kind of character.”

Rune reflects on tennis exposure

These comments came in the context of the Netflix docuseries My Way, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at Alcaraz during last season. “I actually talked to him a little bit about it in the locker rooms,” Holger revealed, before highlighting the value of this type of content in giving tennis more visibility around the world.

“I think it’s good. I think it’s nice for tennis fans, and—I said basically the same thing after the Netflix thing I did with the rest of the players (Break Point)—I think it’s great for the tennis fans to see more of what’s behind the scenes. It’s cool, because we’re all human,” explained the World No. 10.

The challenges of professional tennis, according to Rune

The docuseries sparked some controversy for revealing differences between Alcaraz and his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero regarding the young Spaniard’s approach to his career. “I think it’s normal for every player. You don’t feel the same every day, the same motivation every day, but it’s normal,” Rune reflected on the matter.

“You have some days where you dig a little bit deeper and find some more energy. Some days, it’s easier, but that’s part of life, no matter if it’s tennis or some normal job,” added the Danish player, who also expressed his understanding of Alcaraz’s mindset. “He’s a guy that loves playing tennis and is extremely good at it. It’s cool to see and from my side.”

Holger Rune, currently World No. 12, has found his way back to the biggest tennis stages, after a few difficult months. While he couldn’t beat Jack Draper at the 2025 Indian Wells final, the Danish star is close to coming back to the Top 10. As he moves up through the ranks, we revisit his strong stance on the “greatest of all time” debate between Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Unlike some of his peers, who have a clear favorite, the 21-year-old star has refused to entertain the debate between the Big Three. “In my opinion, the debate is foolish. We are talking about three tremendous players in each of their ways. A huge inspiration to all three for the generations below,” Holger Rune told reporters in June 2023 (via Lobe and Smash).

In 2022, he told Express Sports: “I think nothing about this to be honest. I hate the GOAT discussion […] Because who won the most titles, who won the most Grand Slams, who was No 1 for the longest time. I mean all these guys are incredible. They achieved something that is history making.”

In that sense, Rune said that the battles between Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Andy Murray pushed the new generation forward. “It also pushes the younger generations to what’s possible,” he said. “I think players like Federer, Novak, Nadal, Murray showed us the extreme high level of tennis and this is what makes the young generation so good today.”

Despite his reluctance to choose a GOAT, Rune has revealed that Nadal and Federer were his idols growing up. According to his ATP Profile, the Spaniard was his first idol, “but when he moved to No. 2 in the rankings, it has been [Roger] Federer ever since.”

Holger Rune’s head-to-head vs the Big Three

While he never had the chance to play against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the Danish star has faced Novak Djokovic six times, winning two matches. One of them was the final of the Paris Masters in 2022, which was his first Masters 1000 title win.

While they had a rivalry on court, Rune has also shared that Djokovic has given him advice in the past. “He has taught me a lot. 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 told Punto de Break in 2024.

Rune made his top-10 debut by winning the Paris Masters in 2022, becoming the first player in ATP history (since rankings began in 1973) to defeat five top-10 opponents in a single event outside of the ATP Finals. His career-high ranking reached World No. 4. This season, if he continues his good results, he has an opportunity to return to the Top 10.

Jack Draper defeated Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 to clinch his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells. The 23-year-old Briton had an impressive run, beating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, as well as 2022 champion Taylor Fritz. Now, he will rise to the seventh place of the ATP Rankings for the first time.

“I feel like I deserve it, in all honestly,” Draper said of the milestone, to the ATP Tour Website. “The amount of adversity I’ve been through, the amount of sacrifices, the amount of time that all the people around me have put into me and the hard work. It’s an emotional feeling to know how much you’ve gone through and put in, and to be here now to say that I’m going be No. 7 in the world tomorrow, I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

However, that won’t be the only change in the rankings. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who is currently serving a three-month ban due to a doping case, will remain at the top, just as Alexander Zverev and Alcaraz will retain their positions as World No. 2 and World No. 3, respectively. However, both the German and the Spaniard will lose a significant number of points.

Fritz will stay at the fourth place, while Novak Djokovic, who was eliminated in the second round, climbs two spots. Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas will all remain at the Top 10. Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur falls to the Top 11.

On the other hand, finalist Holger Rune climbs one spot, rising to the Top 12. At 21 years old, Rune was aiming for his fifth tour-level title and his second ATP Masters 1000 trophy, having previously defeated Djokovic in three sets to claim the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters championship.

ATP Rankings after Indian Wells

1. Jannik Sinner – 11,330 points
2. Alexander Zverev – 7,945 points
3. Carlos Alcaraz – 6,910 points
4. Taylor Fritz – 4,900 points
5. Novak Djokovic – 3,860 points
6. Casper Ruud – 3,855 points
7. Jack Draper – 3,800 points
8. Daniil Medvedev – 3,680 points
9. Andrey Rublev – 3,440 points
10. Stefanos Tsitsipas – 3,405 points

What’s next in the ATP Tour?

After two intense weeks in California, the ATP (and WTA) Tour will move to the East Coast. The next Masters 1000 event is the Miami Open, which officially starts on Wednesday, March 19. Zverev, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Fritz and Medvedev will headline action at the season’s second Masters 1000.