Djokovic v Rune: Head to head, stats: Everything you need to know about their rivalry – updated after 2023 ATP Finals match
Separated by 16 years, Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune are already developing a fascinating rivalry
Federico Pestellini / Panoramic
The emergence of Holger Rune has given Novak Djokovic an extra face to worry about in recent years and the pair have already gone toe to toe on several occasions. Here’s everything you need to know about the battles between the two men.
What is the head to head between Djokovic and Rune?
Djokovic and Rune have played each other five times on the ATP Tour so far and the young Dane has found a way to make life very difficult for the 24-times Grand Slam champion.
So far, they have met five times, with the head to head record standing at 3-2 in favour of Djokovic.
Djokovic won the first one back in 2021, when he needed four sets to beat Rune at the US Open but the Dane shocked Djokovic in the final of the Paris Masters in 2022 and then in Rome in 2023 before Djokovic pulled the head to head level with a revenge win in Paris.
Most recently, Djokovic asserted his dominance at the Nitto ATP Finals 2023, winning 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 6-3 to secure the year-end No 1 ranking.
The full list is as follows:
- 2023 Nitto ATP Finals – indoor hard – Djokovic won 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 6-3
- 2023 Paris Masters QF – indoor hard – Djokovic won 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4
- 2023 Rome Masters QF – outdoor clay – Rune won 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
- 2022 Paris Masters F – indoor hard – Rune won 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
- 2021 US Open R1 – outdoor hard – Djokovic won 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-1
What is their best battle so far?
While Rune’s win over Djokovic in Paris in 2022 was a massive shock, the Serb was pretty shattered by that point in the week and was not at his devastating best. In 2023, though, when they met in the quarters of the same event, both men hit the heights in a fascinating, bruising encounter. Rune looked like he was going to win it in straight sets, but Djokovic snatched the second set on a tiebreak and then edged the third.
How many titles have Djokovic and Rune won?
Djokovic has won 97 titles, putting him third in the all-time list behind Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103). That list, of course, includes 24 Grand Slam titles, more than any man in history and level with Margaret Court at the top of the all-time list.
His first title came in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, in 2006 and his most recent title came at the Paris Masters in 2023, where he won for a seventh time.
Rune has won four titles to date on the ATP Tour. His first came in Munich in 2022, followed quickly by titles in Stockholm and in Paris. His fourth and most recent title was won in Munich, where he successfully defended his crown.
What have Djokovic and Rune said about each other?
Djokovic has been open in his praise for Rune.
“Even though he’s really young, I know his game quite well,” Djokovic said in May 2023. “He’s been on the tour now for last few years playing some great tennis, particularly in the last I would say six to eight months. “He’s been really establishing himself as a top player. He’s a top 10 player, deservedly so. He’s been playing some really high-quality tennis. He’s one of the hardest workers out there. Nice guy. I get along well with him. On the court obviously we certainly want to win against each other.”
Likewise, Rune is full of respect for Djokovic.
“You’re amazing, man,” he told Djokovic after their Paris battle in 2023. “I think he’s an amazing player, like from the baseline in every corner, he’s not missing, he’s putting quality with his strokes, so he’s extremely tough but at the same time I enjoy to play him, it’s a big battle.”
