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.
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.
“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.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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