Holger Rune is the opposite of Carlos Alcaraz: controversial, but good for tennis

Together with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the Danish tennis player Holger Rune is one of the youngest and most talented stars of the ATP Tour. Despite his young age, the Nordic tennis player has already won several tournaments, last year he conquered the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy , winning in comeback over Novak Djokovic, and triumphed a few days ago in the Munich tournament.

Holger won after an authentic battle of two hours and 50 minutes against the Dutch Van de Zandschulp, a match that created a lot of controversy. The Dutch tennis player wasted four match points, serving on two occasions for the match, and throwing away the chance to win the title.

Rune won with the result of 6-4 1-6 7-6 but ended up in the eye of the social media storm for his attitude. In fact, between the end of the second set and throughout the third set, Rune highlighted physical problems, starting from an arm problem to small ankle problems. Precisely this has brought several criticisms to the nineteen-year-old Nordic.

Rune is a divisive and provocative player, who has hurled crazed insults at his peers, and beyond, in the past. However, such a character need not be bad for the Game. Tennis has always polarized thanks to attitudes and controversies created by controversial players. Rune must be taken for what he is: the right juxtaposition to Carlos Alcaraz’s maturity and wisdom.

Holger Rune is the opposite of Carlos Alcaraz: they will be the future. Much more than with Jannik Sinner. The two seem to be one step ahead of the others. Their different characters could explode into a rivalry that tennis could celebrate in the coming decades.

Holger Rune is the opposite of Carlos Alcaraz

After the match and consequently after the tournament win in Munich, Rune received several heavy criticisms.

There are those who called him a cheater and those who instead attacked him for having been clever by exploiting the uncertainties of his inexperienced opponent. Many called him a child and attacked him severely.

Rune didn’t fit, and the Dane responded in kind on Twitter stating that the injury was real and there was no doubt about it. Rune explained: “I’ve played over 10 matches in the last two weeks. My body is feeling really shattered but I still wanted to fight to the end.

It’s a final, I’m not giving up and I had no intention of giving up. Try to be nice. I played 10 matches in a few days and I was in pain everywhere. I had no intention of retiring in the final.”