Australian Open 2024: Holger Rune ready to shake off ‘bad boy’ label, win first Grand Slam

Holger Rune is one of the most polarising players on the ATP Tour, but the Danish sensation is desperate to shake off the ‘bad boy’ tag, declaring he is ready for Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open.

The tennis bad boy desperate to avoid being Kyrgios 2.0

Australian Open dark horse Holger Rune might be the most polarising player on the ATP Tour.

Well, after Nick Kyrgios.

While the Aussie has been off Broadway for the past 12 months, Rune has inherited his title of tennis “bad boy”.

It is not a moniker for which the young Danish sensation is particularly fond, nor one he feels is warranted.

However, the world No.8 is aware he needs to better handle his emotions if he is to achieve his goals.

Holger Rune is one of the most polarising players on the ATP tour. Picture: AFP.

After Nick Kyrgios of course. Picture: Getty Images

At 20 years old, Rune believes he is ready to win a grand slam. Why?

“Mostly mentally,” he said. “I did a great pre-season physically.

“I think I am physically good enough to play in the long matches now and I know I have the tennis to beat the best players in the world. I have done it before.

“So then I was telling myself, what is the reason I haven’t done it so far in grand slams? It’s mentally.

“I have worked a lot on that. I am trying to prepare as good as possible to come into the Australian Open with good confidence.”

Rune’s fiery on-court antics have made him a fan favourite in some corners and a hothead in others.

When his emotions are running hot, nobody is safe. Foes, fans, umpires – even his mother has copped a verbal barrage.

During his Brisbane International final clash with Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday, Rune roared an expletive into the crowd and argue with the chair umpire.

That version of Rune was far removed from the one that few get to see off the court.

The one who says “hi” in hallways, who opens doors for others and who isn’t too cool to say, “Yes, I want to travel on tour with my mum”.

“I don’t get it,” voiced one ATP staffer in Brisbane. “He’s such a nice boy.”

The on-court demeanour matches his play. Aggressive. Dominant. Overbearing.

Rune lost his cool in his final match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria at the Brisbane International. Picture: Getty Images

Rune’s rocket of a forehand is one of the most dangerous shots on tour. When he is painting lines with a whip of his right hand, nobody in the world can match him.

He already has wins over Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner.

Last year alone he claimed five top-10 scalps, including three of the aforementioned four.

On any given day, Rune can play like and beat the best in the world.

However, he has failed to find that kind of form in grand slams.

Last year he reached the quarter-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon. In Melbourne, he held multiple match points before falling to Andrey Rublev in the fourth round.

“That was a tough one,” Rune said of the loss. “But we live and learn, that’s how it is sometimes.

“We have to struggle and feel the pain of those kinds of matches to be able to improve.

“If you never feel it, you won’t know you have to do something different to reach the next step, and that is something I learned that day.”

Dimi’s Time To Shine 🌟

The moment @GrigorDimitrov become a champion on the @atptour for the first time since 2017! 🏆#BrisbaneTennispic.twitter.com/gZ9yqwCK5c

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 7, 2024

That Australian Open defeat laid the foundations for Rune’s off-season introspection.

Despite rising as high as No.4 in the world – the highest-ever ranking by a Danish player – and reaching two Masters 1000 finals, Rune rued missed opportunities.

He is in a hurry to win major titles and stamp his place as one of the best in the world.

So he went away to work on the mental side of his game.

Judging by his blow-ups in Brisbane, there is still some work to be done, but the first step to growth is acknowledgment.

“I think if it was that easy to go to a mental coach or read a book then everyone could do it,” Rune said.

“I think it’s really something that’s inside of you. You have to accept a few things that need to change and make an effort that maybe feels uncomfortable in the beginning, but if you want to go to the next level (is important).”

At 20 years old, Rune believes he is ready to win a grand slam. Picture: AFP

The young Dane is one of the major players in a new era of men’s tennis that is pushing the old guard out the door.

Eight of the current top 10 are 26 or younger.

World No.2 Alcaraz, also 20, leads the line as a two-time grand slam champion and former No.1.

He has already hit the highs that Rune aspires to. So does the Spaniard’s success eat away at him?

“Not really,” Rune said. “He has his life and his achievements, I have mine.

“I can only look back and think what can I do better? I can’t change the past.

“It’s about looking forward and trying to fulfil the potential that I have.”

For Rune, who grew up a Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer fan – like so many of his generation – the real motivator is a man who has done it all more than anybody else in history.

The 36-year-old who has 10 Australian Open titles and is the favourite to extend his streak this month.

“Seeing Novak doing what he did last year, winning three out of four grand slams – almost four out of four – it’s a big inspiration,” Rune said. “The same when Rafa did it.

“I think what those guys did is what nobody ever did.”

Rune believes he is ready to win a grand slam but he will likely have to go through Djokovic to do it.

Can he? Absolutely. He has done it before.

However, it will be the biggest battle between the ears of his career.