Rune changing into ‘the brand new Kyrgios’ as Dane instructed to chop ‘immature’ antics
Holger Rune has been warned that taking over “the role of Nick Kyrgios” could possibly be detrimental to his promising future. Todd Woodbridge claimed that the 20-year-old’s “immaturity” had already performed an element in some vital defeats as he supplied some recommendation to the outspoken world No 7.
Rune has cemented himself as one in every of tennis’ hottest younger stars. Before celebrating his twentieth birthday this week, the Dane had already picked up 4 titles as a youngster – together with a Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy.
The world No 7 grew to become the primary participant to defeat 5 high 10 opponents in the identical occasion exterior of the ATP Finals en path to a title when he upset the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic en path to the most important title of his younger profession. But controversy has generally adopted Rune too, as he has been concerned in drama each on and off the court docket.
And retired doubles legend Woodbridge has now warned Rune of the hazards of being “immature”, as he in contrast the 20-year-old’s behaviour to that of Kyrgios. Discussing the four-time title winner’s potential, the previous doubles No 1 instructed the Australian Open that Rune’s identify ought to be up there with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as future greats.
“Holger Rune should be added to this list. It’s like he’s saying: ‘Hold on just a minute, I am in this equation, and you need to start talking about me,’” the 16-time males’s doubles Major champion mentioned. Woodbridge additionally talked concerning the ups and downs of being the game’s new villain.
“I see him as the game’s new antagonist; I think he’s bringing really big energy to matches that are providing another story within tournaments. He’s an in-your-face player who is working his tail off,” he added. But the previous pro-turned-pundit warned that Rune’s antics may someday price him, evaluating him to each Kyrgios and Lleyton Hewitt.
He continued: “In essence, he’s taken over the role of Nick Kyrgios in this generation, but he has this competitiveness and win-at-all-costs attitude, which is what Lleyton Hewitt had so much of. He looks for distraction in matches by antagonising his opponent. And at this point, it’s often to his detriment.”
Offering Rune some phrases of knowledge, the 52-year-old mentioned: “He’s going to have to learn to contain that better, because I think he makes it harder for himself sometimes. (In the Roland Garros quarters last year) he annoyed Casper Ruud, and Ruud was flawless because of it. So that was a match he lost because of his behaviour, and some immaturity on his behalf in handling that big occasion.”
However, he nonetheless backed Rune to realize success – praising the world No 7’s spectacular skill at such a younger age. “I’ve been incredibly impressed watching his physical development; the building of the legs and the body to be robust, to be able to absorb everything,” Woodbridge mentioned.
“Talent requires ticking many boxes. One of the key ones for me is, yes, he’s a street-fighter with a will to win, but he has this work ethic which is making a huge difference and will be part of the reason he’s going to continue being successful.”