Holger Rune stunned Novak Djokovic to win the Paris Masters when he was just 19 (Image: Getty)
burst onto the scene at the end of 2022 when he went on an incredible run to win the Paris Masters. Aged just 19, he beat reigning champion to lift the trophy. Rune was quickly touted as one of the next big things alongside and .
However, the hype faded away after the Dane’s career stalled. While his young rivals went on to become multi-Grand Slam champions, Rune hasn’t won a title in almost two years and his ranking has dropped. But the former world No. 4 believes he can return to the top of tennis.
Rune made history with his Paris Masters victory more than two years ago, becoming the first man to beat five top-10 players en route to a title outside of the ATP Finals.
The Dane went on an incredible run, saving match points to beat three-time Major winner Stan Wawrinka in round one before taking out Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, and Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the final.
In the championship match, Rune stormed back from a set down to upset Djokovic 3-6 6-3 7-5, becoming the tournament’s youngest winner since 1986 and breaking into the top 10.
Rune initially continued his form into the 2023 season – he reached a career-high ranking of No. 4, beat Djokovic again in Rome, and reached two Grand Slam quarter-finals. But the four-time title winner has struggled to progress since then.
Holger Rune has taken some disappointing losses in recent months (Image: Getty)
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The 21-year-old dropped out of the world’s top 15 last summer. He’s since returned to No. 13 in the world, but hasn’t won a title since April 2023 – and the tennis world has moved on, hyping up new teenage sensations like Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien instead.
However, Rune believes he is still capable of great things and he has a reminder for those who are underestimating his potential.
“I won a Masters 1000 against in the final when I was 19 years old. I think that says it pretty well,” the four-time title winner told the . “But it’s all about consistency. That is what I am trying to find.”
Rune has also faced some challenges off the court with his coaching team, going through several high-profile mentors in quick succession.
The Dane has enjoyed stints with Patrick Mouratoglou, Boris Becker and Severin Luthi, but he is now trying to settle down with one team.
He continued: “I’m very hopeful in this moment. I feel like things are getting better together. Consistency in my team, working dedicatedly and trusting what I’m doing is a nice feeling.
“I’m not stressed. At the same time, I was telling myself that a few years ago I was beating Jannik, beating Carlos, and now I’m struggling more.
“But I can’t expect myself to be up there after a year or a year and a half of inconsistency with my team, tennis, and work ethic. It’s not going to happen overnight. But it’s going in the right direction and I feel it in my game already.”