– He is a «freak» in Denmark – VG
PARIS / OSLO (VG) Behind Denmark’s new tennis favorite is a strong mother. Holger Rune (19) may be the end of Casper Ruud’s French Open adventure.
“I get emotional when I talk about the family,” said Holger Rune after Monday’s sensational victory over world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The young Dane glanced up at the grandstand, where he made eye contact with his mother Aneke, who herself was bright in the eyes. She has sacrificed a lot to the 19-year-old’s tennis dream.
– The mother has followed him from a young age and protected him from criticism. She is a strong personality and a huge support for Holger. Aneke is with him everywhere, tennis editor in Danish TV2 Henrik Jensen tells VG.
In Norway, the Ruud family sold the house in 2015, partly to finance Casper’s tennis venture. The Rune family made a similar move to be able to continue the road to the top of tennis.
– It is a family that has money, and more has run their own company, but they sold the cottage when he was a junior player. They receive no support from the Danish Tennis Association, but have to raise the money themselves, Jensen says before the quarterfinals on Wednesday night.
The entire tournament broadcasts on Discovery +. Ruud’s match tonight starts no earlier than 20.45 and is broadcast on MAX.
Rune is the first male Danish player to reach a quarter-final in a Grand Slam. On the women’s side, Caroline Wozniacki was ranked number one in the world in 2010.
– This is historic for Danish tennis. This is the greatest thing a Danish men’s player has achieved in singles, the editor states.
There are not many talented tennis players in Denmark, as is the case for Ruud in Norway.
– It is difficult to be the only one in Denmark with the big dreams, and no one around him understands what is going on. He is a “freak” in Denmark. He is not like the others, and will not be either, mum Rune told tennismajors.com I March.
– My mother and the whole team is the reason I have come this far. It would not have been possible without them. I am so happy that they support me in good and difficult times, says Rune before the quarterfinals.
Unlike Christian Ruud, the Dane’s mother is not either. He has been trained by the former Danish professional player Lars Christensen since he was seven years old.
Rune is ranked number 40 in the world, but is expected to quickly climb up the rankings in the coming months. Of the teenagers, only Spanish Carlos Alcaraz (19) is ranked higher (6).
– Rune has said that he will be the best in the world. He is dedicated, with an extreme focus on achieving the goals he sets. He has long been a star in Denmark, but has achieved international breakthroughs, Jensen believes.
The Swedish tennis legend Mats Wilander, who works as an expert for Discovery, has really been impressed by the Danes’ new tennis favorite.
– He’s amazing. What I really like about him is that he returns earned from the baseline. He does not go back five to six meters like most others, but is incredibly aggressive and strong on both sides. I did not know he could hit so hard – he is an incredible athlete, beating the former world number one fast.
Ruud against Rune broadcasts on MAX and discovery + on Wednesday night and will be the fourth meeting between the Scandinavians. The first three matches have ended with a Norwegian victory, all matches on gravel, no later than 7-6, 7-5 in Monte Carlo earlier this year.
– We have worked even harder to analyze the Dane. We know him well from before, but have tried to take a thorough approach, says head of analysis at Team Ruud, Øivind Sørvald.
He will lay the battle plan for the quarterfinals together with Christian Ruud.
– It is Christian who makes the decision, but we are looking at how we can neutralize the Dane. He is versatile, with a large toolbox. He has a large repertoire, and can bring out dropshots, attacking play and he returns well, Sørvald analyzes.
Ruud has a stronger statistic in matches that have gone to a decisive set (either three or five) than Rune. The Norwegian has 38-18, while the Dane has won six and lost eleven. Rune also has some experience with matches over five sets. Only once has the 19-year-old had to play such a long match, and in the past he has struggled with cramps in physically tough battles.
But Jensen in Danish TV 2 warns:
– His physique has evolved extremely lately. Ruud meets another Rune this year as well as last year, but Rune has great respect for Casper.
Reuters journalist Julien Pretot has been covering tennis for 20 years. He traces Danish victory on the gravel in Paris.
– I think Rune is better, he has really impressed. But if Ruud gets past Rune, I think he will reach the final. Ruud’s biggest challenges are the upcoming match, he believes.
In the semifinals, either Russian Andrei Rublyov or Croatian Marin Cilic are waiting, playing the second quarter-final on their side of the table.
– I think Casper can win. He has more experience and is better physically equipped. He has played several five-set matches, says Ignacio Albarran Marcos, journalist at Spanish Diario AS.