Known for his intense on-court demeanour, Rune has garnered a notorious reputation in tennis.
Holger Vitus Nødskov Rune, born on April 29, 2003, in Copenhagen, began his tennis journey at the tender age of three. His sister Alma, now a model, was the initial tennis player in the family, and Holger followed her lead. According to a profile on the ATP Tour website, Alma humorously described Holger as “quite lazy” and “chubby” with a fondness for cake during his early years. Despite this, Rune’s early exposure to the sport laid the foundation for his future career.
Rune’s career has been marked by frequent changes in his coaching staff. His dynamic playing style and occasional inconsistency have been attributed, in part, to his revolving door of coaches. In February 2024, Boris Becker announced his departure as Rune’s head coach after just four months. This followed the exit of Roger Federer’s former coach, Severin Lüthi, who left due to scheduling conflicts. Rune expressed the need for coaches who were consistently present and familiar with his style, leading him to hire Patrick Mouratoglou, a French coach who had previously worked with him as a teenager.
Known for his intense on-court demeanor, Rune has garnered a reputation as a “bad boy” of tennis. His emotional displays and aggressive play often capture media attention. At 18, Rune faced a fine for homophobic remarks made during a Challenger Tour match. His behavior at the 2023 Madrid Open, where he argued with the umpire and was booed by the crowd, further contributed to his controversial image.
Rune has acknowledged the need to manage his emotions better and improve his mental approach during matches. Despite his “bad boy” label, Rune views his passionate play as a normal part of the sport, stating at the 2023 Rome Masters, “I play with a lot of passion and energy when I’m on the court. I think many players do that. I don’t know why that should be a bad boy thing.”
One of the most notable incidents in Rune’s career was his rivalry with Norwegian player Casper Ruud. During their 2022 French Open quarter-final match, Ruud defeated Rune, leading to a frosty handshake that sparked controversy. Rune was accused of being a poor sport, and the incident was widely discussed in tennis circles. Rune claimed that Ruud had shouted in his face after the match, leading to further tensions. The rivalry extended to their families, with differing accounts of the events from both sides. Rune’s mother, Aneke, supported his claims, while Ruud’s father, Christian, denied them. Rune’s behavior, including shouting “leave” after his mother exited the stadium, was interpreted by some as directed at her, though Rune denied this.
Despite his controversies, Holger Rune has made significant strides in his career. He won the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters, defeating Novak Djokovic, and has achieved notable results in various tournaments. Rune’s prize money earnings have exceeded $8 million, and he holds endorsement deals with Nike, Denmark’s State drinks, PurePower, and Babolat. His social media presence includes over 868,000 followers on Instagram and more than 82,000 on X.
Holger Rune’s journey in tennis is marked by both impressive accomplishments and notable controversies. His early start in the sport, frequent coaching changes, passionate on-court behavior, and rivalries have shaped his career so far. As a player with a strong presence and significant potential, Rune continues to capture attention in the tennis world, balancing his quest for success with his distinctive personality.
