Holger Rune has opened up on the last few months of his 2023 season after making a winning return by overcoming Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) at the Beijing Open.
Rune also put a lid on his four match losing streak in his debut tournament at the Asian swing on the ATP tour. Despite being handed a tough draw to start his run, Dane showcased some flawless tennis to shake off the injury concerns surrounding him ahead of the event.
“It felt good. I’ve had a tough period, both with my body and match circumstances, so I’m just happy to be back feeling good,” said Rune after the match.
“Feeling mentally well on and off the court. I’m just super happy with my level today.”
The 20-year-old arrived Asia without a tour level win since Wimbledon and has been absent from the ATP circuit since US Open. Rune would definitely have stunned himself after seeing China Open draw that offered him the #15 seed Felix Auger-Alassime in the R1, however, the world No. 4 delivered some accomplished display to record an 84-min win against a very dangerous opponent.
By bagging his latest win against the Canadian, Rune now leads their tour-level series 2-1. Felix having a mediocre year by his standards showed some sparks of his brilliance by helping the Team World win the Laver Cup at home in Vancouver last weekend but couldn’t take that momentum to the Diamond Court of the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Centre.
Rune was on the sidelines of the tour because of the injured back but is now pleased with how his body didn’t let him down on the Beijing hardcourts.
“I was feeling very good. I didn’t feel anything in my body,” said Rune. “This is good. I don’t mind muscle soreness, but I’m too young to have these kinds of problems, so it’s good to feel good out there. I’m feeling healthy, taking care of my body and I’m super happy to play without pain and just enjoy myself.”
The 2023 Wimbledon quarter-finalist and, Rune took a couple of weeks off from the tour as he felt the brunt of playing non-stop.
“I’ve been struggling with my back for a while now,” said the 4-time tour titlist ahead of the first-round clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime in Beijing.
“Even playing tournaments while having pain. After my last Davis Cup match I told myself that I’m not going to come back to the tour until I am 100 percent – I am now.”
“I’ve managed to get rid of what I needed to get rid of and I’m back feeling closer to what I used to feel.”