"He told me he was human, not a superhero": Novak Djokovic makes open admission to Holger Rune ahead of Monte-Carlo
ATP
Denmark’s young tennis star Holger Rune has revealed that
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic told him that he is ‘not a superhero’.
The 36-year-old is often regarded as the greatest player in
the history of men’s singles tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24
Grand Slam titles.
Rune, who himself is regarded as one of the most
highly-rated players currently playing in the men’s singles category alongside
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner, was recently quoted in a
report where he revealed that Djokovic told him before the start of the Monte
Carlo Masters that he is ‘not a superhero’.
“He gave me advice on the mental level, because he’s a
beast,” said Rune. “But he told me he was human, not a superhero. He also feels
the emotions we all feel, but he handles them differently than other players.
“He told me that this was one of the reasons why he was more
successful than others. It’s impressive to watch him, just like Rafa and
Roger.”
Djokovic did not take
part in the Miami Open but had a hard time playing in the Indian Wells where he
was knocked out of the ATP 1000 event after losing to Italy’s Luca Nardi with a
score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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