Novak Djokovic said he was impressed by Holger Rune’s fighting spirit and admitted that the Dane deserved the Paris Masters title. In the Paris final, Rune upset Djokovic 3-6 6-3 7-5. After losing the first set, Rune faced three consecutive break points in the opening game of the second set but he saved them to avoid going down by an early break.
Then, Rune broke Djokovic in the second game and held on to his serve the rest of the set to send the match into a third set. In the third set, Djokovic claimed the first break in the fourth game to open a 3-1 lead. Rune responded by breaking Djokovic in the fifth and 11th games to overturn the deficit and complete a comeback win.
In the 12th game of the third set, Djokovic had a total of six break point chances but Rune saved them all and closed out the final. “What impressed me more was his fighting spirit and his composure. He had the week of his life, he deserved it.
I had so many chances. There was some of these moments where matches chose a side. He was brave and I was not active enough in these moments,” Djokovic said, per Tennis Majors.
Djokovic : “What impressed me more was his fighting spirit and his composure.
He had the week of his life, he deserved it. I had so many chances. There was some of these moments where matches chose a side. He was brave and I was not active enough in these moments.” — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 6, 2022
Djokovic on the similarity between Rune, Carlos Alcaraz
“Alcaraz and Rune are same in terms of physicality, they defend extremely well, Rune has a better backhand and Alcaraz has a better forehand.
It’s not a huge difference. They are very complete for 19-y old players. Energy on the court. Impressive,” Djokovic explained.
Djokovic : “Alcaraz and Rune are same in terms of physicality, they defend extremely well, Rune has a better backhand and Alcaraz has a better forehand.
It’s not a huge difference. They are very complete for 19-y old players. Energy on the court. Impressive…” #RolexParisMasters — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 6, 2022
Meanwhile, Djokovic and Rune were playing against each other for the second time.
Their first meeting came at the 2021 US Open, when Djokovic saw off Rune in four sets. 14 months later, Djokovic and Rune met again but this it was the Dane that ended on the winning side. “As I said yesterday, he reminds me back in time.
Backhand, dropshot, mixing things. Since the US Open 2021, his level of play two or three levels higher,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic : “As I said yesterday, he reminds me back in time. Backhand, dropshot, mixing things…
Since the US Open 2021, his level of play two or three levels higher.” #RolexParisMasters — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 6, 2022
