"Alcaraz is calmer, more mature, aware": Ljubicic doesn't see much difference between Alcaraz and Rune, gap getting thinner

Sunday, 21 May 2023 at 05:00

The former coach of Roger Federer expressed his opinion that the gap between Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz is becoming smaller.

There have been only two encounters between Alcaraz and Rune, with each player securing a victory. The first match took place in the 2021 Next Gen tournament, with Alcaraz emerging as the winner (4-3, 4-2, 4-0), and the second match occurred in the 2022 Paris Masters 1000, where Rune advanced to the next round due to Alcaraz's retirement when the score was 6-3, 6-6 in favor of Rune.

Read also

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Croatian Ivan Ljubicic commented on the emerging rivalry between both players. Although they haven't faced each other frequently on the court, they are considered the two main representatives of the new generation of tennis, and many expect a long-standing rivalry between them. The former coach of Federer highlighted Rune's confidence and Alcaraz's maturity.

“Holger Rune believes a lot in himself, it's important to have this drive to always want more. Alcaraz is calmer, more mature, aware, and is able to better manage situations on the pitch. I don't see a huge [gap] between the two. Indeed, it is getting thinner and thinner,” Ljubicic said.

Read also

He also referred to the level shown by Daniil Medvedev on clay this year, precisely the player who will face Rune in the final of the Rome Open this Sunday.

"We're still talking about a player who was also number 1 in the world, who won the US Open, so someone who plays very well. On clay, however, his serve is less incisive than the fast one, his groundstrokes are less annoying, and I really don't think red clay will become his favorite surface," the Croatian said.

Read also

The semifinals of the Rome Open saw Holger Rune secure a victory against Casper Ruud (6-7, 6-4, 6-2), and the Russian Medvedev did the same against Stefanos Tsitsipas (7-5, 7-5). The only encounter between them took place in the quarterfinals of Monte-Carlo, with a two-set victory for the 20-year-old athlete.

Tennis TV

@TennisTV

·Follow

Alcaraz. Rune. Court-level camera 😍 @carlosalcaraz #RolexParisMasters

Watch on X

4:08 PM · Nov 4, 2022

397

Read 9 replies

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.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

Gauff pays tribute after passing of NFL legend Jim Brown

Nadal may encounter problem in Olympic bid due to likely ranking fall