Former Australian tennis player Todd Woodbridge asserts that Holger Rune is the new antagonist in the tennis world, comparing the Danish player with stars like Nick Kyrgios and Lleyton Hewitt. Rune emerged as a top competitor at a young age, showing outstanding performance in the junior ranks and making a remarkable leap to professional tennis. Woodbridge has ranked Rune in the same category as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, suggesting that he is becoming an influential player to watch.
Impressive rise in the rankings
During his career so far, Rune has played over 100 matches at various levels, even taking a set off Novak Djokovic at the US Open in 2021. Following his success at the French Open and his first Masters title win in Paris last year, the Danish player reached the Monte Carlo finals and has won a total of four titles since April. These accomplishments have led to his current position within the top 10 of the ATP rankings.
Comparison with Kyrgios and Hewitt
Woodbridge sees similarities between Rune’s playing style and the energy brought to games by Kyrgios and Hewitt. He believes that Rune’s presence in professional tennis adds excitement and interesting narratives to tournament events. The former Australian player has credited Rune with inheriting the role of antagonist from Kyrgios while demonstrating the same competitive and win-at-all-costs attitude as Hewitt.
Well-rounded gameplay
Holger Rune is known for his all-court game, hitting hard from the baseline and showcasing a powerful serve. He has the ability to change the pace of a match and is recognized for his tireless running on the court. Woodbridge is particularly impressed by Rune’s physical development and work ethic, claiming that the Danish player shows no weaknesses and that his success is due to his unrelenting desire to win.
