Match Points: The man to watch in 2023? It has to be Holger Rune

In the latest episode of Match Points, the panel pick Holger Rune as the man most likely to shine next year

Holger Rune, Rolex Paris Masters 2022 – © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

December 20, 2022

Holger Rune‘s run to the top 10 in 2022 was one of the storylines of the year, the Dane picking up his first Masters 1000 title in Paris and showing the big guns that he’s a new man on the scene.

In the latest episode of Match Points, the panel of Marion Bartoli, Carole Bouchard and Simon Cambers are united in their assessment that Rune will be the man to watch in 2023.

Tennis Majors

Carole Bouchard pointed out his attitude as something that stands him out from others.

“He looked solid, but I never thought the guy was already going to be that good,” she began. “But it’s not only his game, his attitude, he’s in their faces, he’s like, you know what, you’re going down. He’s going to turn their life into hell, I love that.”

Bartoli agreed.

“He is the one. I don’t think anyone can think of another name, the way he won Paris Bercy, beating Novak (Djokovic) in the final, he had to save match point against Stan (Wawrinka). I think a lot of players will dislike him on the court, this attitude, but I don’t think he cares.”

Cambers pointed out that Carlos Alcaraz could easily be the one to watch again, but added that he had rarely encountered anyone who had the belief Rune possesses at such a young age.

“I interviewed Rune at Roland-Garros last year and his confidence was off the charts,” he said. “He believes he’s going to be No 1. As far as he’s concerned, nothing’s going to stop him. Maybe I’m wrong here, but he feels un-Danish, he’s got a very American attitude, it’s like, here I am, get out of the way. He’s so confident.”