Despite being a fierce competitor and someone who cannot be tamed easily, Holger Rune thinks he is naturally very too lethargic to really get wound up about his on-court craft and duties.
The Dane described himself as a laidback person even to the extent of being lazy. According to him, being unaffected by anything that happens around him in a way helps him to conserve his energy for the matchcourts. He can even stay unaffected by the jeers thrown by the crowds towards him.
“I am very calm and relaxed as a person – almost a little lazy,” Holger Rune told Relevant Tennis.
“So I don’t stress over things related to press or work.
“Sometimes it is good to be a little lazy because you can’t control everything.
“I use my energy on court.
“And I have a really good family around me.”
The World No. 7 recently came to realize the importance of healthy nutrition and believes that the tweaks in his diet plans helped him enjoy a successful European indoor swing.
“Also, it is important to eat well and sleep enough during the season. Because if I have no energy, the engine will burn out. I have a nutrition plan now so I know I get what I need. We found out I did not get half of the sugar and salt I needed [for matches], that is why I had meltdown and cramps.
“I really did not know [things like these] could make so much difference… My coach says that a Ferrari with no fuel is useless. He is right. So I am much more aware now of what I eat… even though I love pepperoni pizza and ice cream.”
When the four-time ATP tour titlist had to pull out of the Montpellier (Open Sud de France) in the final four clash against Borna Coric, the crowd started to confront him with boos.
Rune 7 was 3-6, 1-4 against the Croat when he had to walk out of the match because of forearm injury. He went to the net for a quick handshake, but when the audiences in stands saw that the game would end sooner than expected, they jeered at Rune to show their disapproval of the early outcome of the clash.
Before retiring mid-match, the 20-year-old was not able to bring his A-game to the court. Rune would take a medical break in the second set but it couldn’t help the physical strain on his arm and this though helped Coric to seize the opportunity as the Dane was frequently missing on his serve – only making half of his first serves. He is set to miss the action for the next couple of weeks.