Holger Rune just wrapped up some pretty amazing practice sessions with tennis legend Andre Agassi ahead of the Citi Open in Washington. And let’s just say the young Dane is pretty excited about what he learned.
Rune’s one of the most talented guys on the ATP Tour right now. He proved that back in 2022 when he shocked the tennis world by beating Novak Djokovic in the Paris Masters final.
That’s a pretty big deal – Masters tournaments don’t come easy.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holger Rune | 22 | 2,540 | 22 - 12 |
But since that breakthrough moment, things have been a bit tougher for the 22-year-old. He’s struggled to get back to those heights consistently.
Finding His Way Back
This year, though, Rune’s looking more like his old self again. He’s become a stable Top 10 contender and feels ready to take that next big step.
The goal? Catching up with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who’ve basically dominated men’s tennis for the past couple of years.
So when Rune decided he needed some expert help, he reached out to someone who knows a thing or two about winning. Enter Andre Agassi – seven-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1.
It wasn’t something most tennis fans saw coming. But for Rune, it was exactly what he needed.
"It was nice. We’ve been in touch for a while, and we did a couple of days together here in Washington, where he was helping me with a few things, giving his opinion," Rune explained during media day.
Learning From a Legend
The Danish player couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about working with the American legend.
"It was really a big pleasure. He’s a very, very wise man. I’ve never met a guy who sees the game this way."
That’s high praise coming from someone who’s already achieved quite a bit in his young career.
Agassi didn’t just offer general advice either. He got specific about areas where Rune could improve, especially on the return game – something both players have been known for.
"Obviously, he had an amazing return himself, and I also return well, and he had a few tips there and how I can be slightly better there, and then in general about the game," Rune said.
Even though their time together was brief, the impact was pretty clear.
"It was a really short period, but definitely he gave me an insight into where he sees me in the future, where he sees me now, and obviously there are a lot of things to improve."
Eyes on the Prize
For Rune, it wasn’t just about the technical tips. Agassi helped him focus on the right things mentally too.
"He helped me to get my focus and my eyes on the right things, together with my coach Lars [Christensen]. It was really cool to spend some days with him."
The young Dane admitted he’s been studying Agassi’s game for a while now. "I’ve watched a lot of him on YouTube and his style and the way of playing was amazing. His career speaks for itself."
When asked if he’d be interested in a longer partnership with the 55-year-old legend, Rune didn’t hesitate.
"He’s a great man, so I would definitely like that."
Washington Opportunity
Now comes the test. Rune’s the third seed at the ATP 500 event in Washington, and he’ll want to show that Agassi’s advice is already paying off.
His first-round opponent will be either Beibit Zhukayev or Alexandre Muller, depending on who wins their qualifying match.
If Rune can channel some of that Agassi wisdom and combine it with his natural talent, this tournament could be the start of something special. The question is whether a few practice sessions with a legend can help bridge the gap to tennis’s current top tier.
