Danish teen Rune ready for the ultimate test as he takes on world No 1 Alcaraz in Paris

Rune has a chance to make a big mark when the two 19-year-olds meet at the Paris Masters on Friday

Zuma / Panoramic

November 3, 2022

When Carlos Alcaraz was making history by winning the US Open in September and becoming the youngest man ever to hold the No 1 ranking, Holger Rune was busy doing his own thing, focusing on doing things at his own pace.

Compared to the incredible rise of Alcaraz, Rune’s rise up the rankings might seem pedestrian but with a couple of weeks to go in the season, the Dane has established himself in the top 20, with two titles to his name this year, in Munich and most recently in Stockholm.

At this year’s Roland-Garros, Rune paid tribute to his fellow 19-year-old’s performances but inside he knew he could do some great things himself. After all, Rune and Alcaraz are the same age, grew up together in juniors and even played doubles together in Les Petits As, the prestigious under-14 competition.

Seeing someone you know, who was on your level, achieve amazing things must be inspirational and on Friday, Rune will get the chance to take on Alcaraz, in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters.

The start of a new rivalry at the top of the game?

The pair have met just once before – Alcaraz won in straight sets at last year’s Next Gen Finals – and the Spaniard is already more experienced. But Rune is having a stellar year, his win over Andrey Rublev on Thursday was his sixth over a top 10 opponent this year and the teenager is excited to test himself against the very best, a match that could be one in a long rivalry.

“I hope so,” he told reporters on Thursday. “We’re both 19 so we’re super young, we have a very long time left in our careers. It’s great to see. We’ve been following each other since junior time. What he’s doing is incredible, I’m super excited to see how it’s going to be. I’ll just go out there and have fun.”

“He’s world No 1 right now, I guess I’m the underdog, I’m 18. I’m just going to go out there and play free, I have nothing to lose.”

Rune: “I want to dictate on every point”

Rune began the year ranked just outside the top 100 but he’s shot up the rankings, too, reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland-Garros and then winning two titles.

Confident, powerful and athletic, he’s riding a wave, with 16 wins from his last 18 matches.

He’s done it through determination but also a realisation that if you wait for the best players to make mistakes and give you the match, it won’t happen.

“I want to dictate on every point I can and stay focused, stay locked in,” he said. “Everyone is so good, so I am trying to dictate on every point. Every break point I get I have to go for it because they’re too good.”

Mouratoglou’s arrival in camp Rune

Patrick Mouratoglou has joined the Rune team for the last few weeks of the year and the Frenchman seems to have made an instant impression, with the Dane winning his second title in Stockholm.

“We’re having a very good time together, on and off the court,” he said. “Together with my long-time coach and my mum, it’s the whole team, I’m super privileged. I’ve known Patrick for a long time and I’m very pleased.”

Alcaraz has sported tape on his left knee but the Spaniard has not shown any obvious signs of discomfort so far and Rune knows he’ll need to play a near-perfect match.

“These are the kind of matches you want,” he said. “To play the world No 1 on one of the biggest courts like this is going to be amazing. It’s why you work each day, why you grind.

“I have to find my best level. Alcaraz is the world No 1, a super player, I’m super excited to see where I am at.”