"He looks to me as a player ready for big things": Novak Djokovic praise Holger Rune ahead of Wimbledon fourth-round clash

Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has once again praised Denmark’s Holger Rune ahead of their most anticipated Wimbledon clash. The third Grand Slam of the year is approaching its business end, and the remaining players are battling it out to secure the ultimate prize.

Djokovic, who is often regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career, booked his place in the fourth round of the mega-event after beating Australia’s Alexei Popyrin with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6.

He is set to face Denmark’s Rune, who registered his spot in the round of 16 after beating France’s Quentin Halys in a five-set thrilling contest with a score of 1-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-1. Just before the round of 16 clash in a bid to secure a spot in the last-eight of the competition, Djokovic was recently quoted in a report where he heaped praise on the youngster. The former world number one stated that Rune looks like a player to him who is ‘ready for big things’.

“He's been a very dedicated guy,” he said. “Once he sees something is off, he's going to go out on the practice court and he's going to work on it. That's what I always loved about him. He looks to me as a player that is ready for big things.”

It will be the sixth meeting between the two players in professional tennis. In the previous five meetings, Djokovic had a slight edge, with three wins and two defeats. Their most recent meeting came in the ATP Finals in 2023, where the current world number two ended up on the winning side with a score of 7-6, 6-7, 6-3. Interestingly, it will be the first time when the two will face off on a grass court.