The Danish tennis player Holger Rune recently shared his thoughts about a rigorous training session with Rafael Nadal, who is soon to retire. Even at the age of 38, Rune claimed to be surprised by the level of play the Spaniard was capable of.
After the Davis Cup knockouts, which are slated to take place in Malaga, Spain, from November 19–24, Nadal is expected to retire.
In contrast, Rune, who went pro in 2020, is currently in the spring of his tennis career. However, in a training session at the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition held in mid-October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the 22-time Grand Slam champion put up a fierce fight against him.
Speaking to Tennis Channel on the sidelines of the 2024 Paris Masters, the 21-year-old made the same revelation. He also discussed how he was influenced by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Rune talked about it and said: “I think inspiration is very good. But I’m just trying to be a beast, you know when I’m practising. I’m trying to push the limits as much as I can but definitely players like Djokovic and Rafa as well. I remember I was practising with Rafa in Riyadh and I was just surprised that the guy’s almost retired and his intensity is still up there. I was like, ‘[He] Shouldn’t retire.”
He added: “He’s had an unbelievable career, incredible. He has done so many things but you know, there’s a reason why he’s Rafa, there’s a reason why he’s Novak, they just bring the effort every day.”
This year, Rune is ranked as the 13th seed in Paris. He has already advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating Matteo Arnaldi and Alexander Bublik in straight sets.
Holger Rune in 2024
Now the world no.11, Rune played his last match on the 2nd of November when he was defeated by world no.2 Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(4) in the semifinal in Paris (draw).
This season Holger has achieved a compiled 45-23 match record. Holger Rune’s best result of this year was getting to the final in Brisbane.
Holger Rune will square off with the world no.286 Giovanni Fonio in the quarter. They have never played each other as of now in top competitions.
Rune was the finalist in Brisbane (Brisbane International).
Holger won 4 titles in his career: 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rafael Nadal in 2024
At the moment ranked no.154, the Spaniard played his last match on the 29th of July when he capitulated to world no.5 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
This season Nadal has a composed 12-7 record. Rafael Nadal’s most significant result of the present year was getting to the final in Bastad.
Holger Rune and Rafael Nadal have never faced off.
Holger Rune and Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
Holger Rune in 2024
Currently ranked no.11, the Dane played his last match on the 2nd of November when he was overcome by world no.2 Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(4) in the semifinal in Paris (draw).
This season the Dane has a compiled 45-23 match record. Holger Rune’s most significant achievement of the current season was reaching the final in Brisbane.
Holger Rune will come up against the world no.286 Giovanni Fonio in the quarter. In the past, they have never competed against each other until now in top competitions.
Rune was the runner-up in Brisbane (Brisbane International).
Holger won 4 titles in his career: 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Now ranked no.154, Nadal played his last match on the 29th of July when he lost to world no.5 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
This season the Spaniard has achieved an overall 12-7 win-loss record. Rafael Nadal’s most significant result of the current season was reaching the final in Bastad.
Holger Rune and Rafael Nadal have never fought against each other.
Holger Rune and Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
