Holger Rune disagrees with Stefanos Tsitsipas: “I would rather win a Grand Slam than being no.1”

In contrast to Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has risen in the rankings, Holger Rune does not see being the best in the world as his ultimate aim.

Holger Rune With Stefanos Tsitsipas

Holger Rune has risen in the rankings, but unlike Stefanos Tsitsipas, he does not regard becoming the world’s number one as his ultimate goal. Before achieving that, Rune is more concerned with how many Grand Slams he would win in his career.

Stefanos Tsitsipas recently discussed in an interview his choice of a Grand Slam championship or being the world’s top player as his ultimate professional objective and said: “I’ll trade (a Grand Slam) for being number one.”

Rune believes that winning trophies, especially Grand Slams, is the best way to judge a player’s ability and that it is the most crucial aspect of the game, despite the fact that some players can reach the top five yet never win anything.

Although he has yet to win a Grand Slam, many people think that it is his next realistic step to compete with other next-generation talents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, among others.

Holger Rune stated his remarks in an interview: “Firstly, improvements, on my game, my physicality, because that’s what I can control 100%. And then from there, probably the ranking. But it’s more like the team and the coaches. But me myself, I’m more motivated to win tournaments. I would rather win a Grand Slam and then be sixth in the world, than not win a Grand Slam and then be number one in the world. So for me, it’s about tournaments.”

 

Holger Rune in 2023

Holger Rune

45 - 23win/loss

Hard
21-11
I Hard
10-4
Clay
11-6
Grass
3-2
21 year old
LWWWWLWWWL
2024 Highlights

Currently the world no.6 (career-high), Rune played his last match on the 12th of July when he was defeated by world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3) 6-4 6-4 in the quarter in Wimbledon (draw).

During this season Rune has managed to achieve a composed 37-13 record. The Dane clinched 1 title in Munich. The Dane got to the final in Monte-Carlo and Rome.

Rune will play next in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 13th of August.

Rune
Wimbledon
Rune's Record

Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2023

Stefanos Tsitsipas

45 - 22win/loss

Hard
13-11
I Hard
8-3
Clay
22-6
Grass
2-2
26 year old
LWWWLWWLWL
2024 Highlights

Ranked no.4, Tsitsipas played his last match on the 5th of August when he overcame world no.18 Alex De Minaur 6-3 6-4 in the final in Los Cabos to win his 10th career title.

At present, during this year Stefanos has achieved a compiled 39-13 win-loss record. This year, Tsitsipas conquered 1 tournament in Los Cabos. The Greek reached the final at the Australian Open and Barcelona.

Tsitsipas has scheduled to compete next in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 13th of August.

Tsitsipas
Los Cabos
Tsitsipas's Record

Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas faced off just twice. Their record is 2-0 for Rune. The last time they locked horns, Holger Rune won 6-4 6-4 in the final in Stockholm (Stockholm Open) in October 2022.

In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.

Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas

Embed from Getty Images