"Made for those matches in the biggest stadiums": Former Danish doubles star Nielsen backs compatriot Rune to match Big Three
ATPWednesday, 03 May 2023 at 21:30
Frederik
Lochte Nielsen praised his compatriot Holger Rune for his potential to reach
the level of the Big-3.
The 2012
Wimbledon doubles champion believes that Rune has the necessary tools to
achieve the same level of success as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Novak
Djokovic. One of the aspects he highlighted is the 19-year-old tennis player's
second serve.
“I very
much agree with Holger when he says that he doesn’t stress about having to play
for his points,” Nielsen said to SpilXperten.
“That’s one
of the big developments he has gone through in the last year and a half.”
“Holger is
one of the best in the world at using his 2nd serve proactively and not just
using it as a point starter. He serves both slice, kick, hard and slow on his
2nd serve. It’s really a powerful weapon for him,” he added.
The former
tennis player also emphasized that Rune is comfortable and performs well under
pressure.
“Holger is made
for those matches in the biggest stadiums against the very best players. That’s
where he feels he belongs. That’s where he feels most comfortable.”
“If you’re
going to talk about players who have a chance to achieve the same as the
greatest legends, I completely agree that Alcaraz and Rune are the two who can
do it. I think they have the best platform to build on right now,” said Nielsen.
However, he
also pointed out that Rune is still slightly behind world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz:
“They are
two players who really play tennis and get the best out of themselves. The
reason why Alcaraz is maybe a little bit further ahead than Rune right now is
because Alcaraz is maybe a little bit better physically. He has a natural
strength, but when Holger builds that up, he will be horrible to face for all
players because he has almost no weaknesses,” he added.
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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