8-time Grand Slam Champion Mats Wilander, believes Holger Rune should have employed some ‘mayhem’ in his quarter-final tie against fellow Nordic opponent Casper Ruud. The comment came after Dane’s back to back quarterfinal losses at Parisian clay major.
The Norwegian registered a 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win against the Dane for yet another time at Roland Garros, however, it was sans drama that was recorded in 2022 and Wilander claimed that the 20-year old could use that for his benefit.
“I don’t know if we can ever expect him to be a hundred percent committed professionally, emotionally, physically from the beginning of every match,” explained Wilander. “I just don’t think that’s his personality.”
The Swedish former No.1 continued, “I think he needs mayhem, he needs a little bit of that Nick Kyrgios, and he didn’t have that. He was flat and I think it’s a learning lesson for him, but again I don’t know if he has the energy to be because he’s so fired up in a way – but not with his tennis racquet in his hand.”
Last year the Nordics had a cold handshake at the end of their match in 2022 and Dane blamed Ruud for not showing respect. Wilander, now a Eurosport expert and tennis commentator thinks the Dane should have portrayed a bit more of that fiery aura in his disappointing first two sets.
“I would have expected him [Rune] to get a little more fired up early in the second set,” Wilander continued. I mean, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe start talking to his box, start screaming at his box, start finding people in the stands, just to do something.”
“Eventually though he started actually, I think, getting a bit irritated with the other side of the stadium which is where Casper Ruud’s box is, and I think he was using that.”
The 58-year-old Swede added, “He needs something. I think that’s going to be his strength, but it’s also going to be a weakness in certain situations.”
Ruud will now face German Alexander Zverev for a place in final; the Norwegian bids to reach the Roland Garros final for a second successive year.
Holger Rune at Slams
Rune has registered some great breakthroughs on the ATP tour over the previous year and in process he reached a career-high world #6 rank. The steady progress definitely lifted his confidence and boosted his on-court mentality, however, he is yet to break the semifinal stage of a major.
Here is his Grand Slam performance record:
Overall Grand Slam win-loss record: 11-7 (61%)
Australian Open
Win-loss record 3-2 (40%)
Best Result: R4 (2023)
French Open
Win-loss record: 7-2 (78%)
Best Result: Quarter-final (2022 & 2023)
Wimbledon
Win-loss record: 0-1 (0%)
Best Result: First Round (2022)
US Open
Win-loss record: 1-2 (33%)