"A lot of Inconsistency": Andy Roddick explains why Holger Rune trails behind Alcaraz and Sinner

Andy Roddick compared Holger Rune's current form with that of his declared rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The Dane's rise on the ATP Tour was on par with theirs, but he has not made the definitive leap to the elite level achieved by Alcaraz and Sinner.

Rune ended the 2024 season ranked World No. 13, falling short of the high expectations set for him. The 21-year-old secured his first Masters 1000 title at Paris-Bercy in 2022 but has since struggled to take the next step forward.

Roddick pinpoints Rune’s struggles 

In recent years, Rune seemed poised to be the third member of the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry, but they have since left him behind, with multiple Grand Slam titles and solidified positions as the players to beat. Meanwhile, Rune continues to fight for a return to the top 10.

Read also

This is how much you can earn in Prize Money at ATP 2025 Brisbane International

Looking ahead to the new season, Andy Roddick reflected on the Dane's progress and addressed his difficulty maintaining a stable relationship with a coach: “Alcaraz and Sinner are seemingly going to be all-time greats, and Holger Rune is still trying to find, one, a coach that he can have a relationship with for more than four or five months at a time,” Roddick said.

“Also an identity as a player—he feels like peaks and valleys. Sometimes he’s playing defensively, sometimes offensively; it seems like he’s looking to his box for guidance,” the former World No. 1 added.

Read also

"Not sure if it was just a magical week in Dubai": Question marks on Anna Kalinskaya's next step from Roddick and Wertheim

“Jim Courier has said this: his strategy changes day to day. There’s so much raw potential, that’s obvious, but simultaneously it still feels like he’s searching at this moment in time. He’s beaten the best players in the world, including Novak Djokovic a couple of times when Djokovic was at his best. So, a lot to like with Holger Rune, but also a lot of inconsistency.”

Rune debuted this week at the Brisbane International, where he was the third seed but lost in the first round to Jiri Lehecka. With his only warm-up tournament for the Australian Open behind him, Rune will now travel to Melbourne to complete his final preparations for the season’s first Grand Slam.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe