US OPEN

August 31, 2021

Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/J. Rune

6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Could you talk about that match, first Grand Slam match against the world No. 1, tell us about the experience of playing on Arthur Ashe.

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: Yeah, it was crazy experience, playing against Novak on Arthur Ashe is probably one of the dream come true.

To be able to win one set as well was great. I had high beliefs in myself throughout the whole match. First set, I thought the score was pretty easy for him, but I thought it was a pretty good level of tennis for both.

Unfortunately my fitness let me down. I started cramping already in the beginning of the third set. From there on was tough. I knew if I had to win, I really had to fight for every point. With my body at this point, it was impossible.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What did you think about the crowd cheering you on?

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: Yeah, it was great. I mean, I never felt anything like this. It was unbelievable feeling staying there. I tried to give the crowd something, fight for every point, be pumped and everything. I mean, the crowd was unbelievable. I mean, I couldn't have asked for more. I never tried anything like this.

It was a pretty sick feeling.

Q. Did you know they were saying your name? Novak thought they were booing.

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: I thought so, too. Actually at one point they were cheering for me; another point they were booing. I was like, What is going on?

All of a sudden, after the match I heard they said "Rune." When I heard that, I was happy because I didn't understand it in the match. As I said, it was a crazy crowd, the best I've ever felt in my life.

Q. You couldn't be yourself the whole match, but the experience of playing Novak, what makes him so good?

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: I think he's incredible consistent. He never gives you anything. You really have to win every point by yourself. Especially behind your serve, you have really to put almost every first serve because otherwise he's stepping in on the baseline and really putting you under pressure. That's just a huge pressure. You really want to hold your serve, because if he hits his spot, it's tough to break him. He's just a tough player to play.

I mean, I was, like, I'm not saying if I was physically 100% I would beat him for sure, but I would definitely have a chance.

Q. Can you explain how your coaching situation works. You have a few different people, voices. Who is on the court with you most?

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: Yeah, my coach is Lars. He's a Danish coach. We have been together since I was six years old. It's been a long journey.

Then I have my mom always with me, who travels. That's my normal team, like traveling. Patrick is there, my agent, everything. I had great support from the crowd and my team as well.

Q. Curious as to the bag you brought on, IKEA? Was that an IKEA bag you brought on court?

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: Yes, it was.

Q. What's the connection to that?

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: Nothing. Nothing. I think it's a nice bag. I can have all my drinks there and bananas. It just suits me well to go on court.

Q. You mentioned Patrick. Does he oversee Lars? Does he talk with him or you?

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: Yeah, I mean, we all keep in touch. But Lars is like my main coach. We try to go as often as possible to his academy to train, because they have good players, it's an amazing facility there in the south of France. But my main coach is Lars.

Q. I read you had some cramps during one of your matches in the qualifying event. Was that similar?

HOLGER VITUS NODSKOV RUNE: I actually didn't have any cramp in the qualification. The first match was tough physically for me as well. I came right from clay tournaments back in Europe. I was struggling a bit with the humidity.

Today was not like struggling because of the heat or humidity or anything. It was just I felt like in the beginning of the third set my legs started tightening up. I was like, Oh. It just got worse and worse and worse.

I never want to stop matches. I want to complete them. I want to try to see if I can find solution. Against a player like Novak it's tough if you can't move 100%. Even if you move 100%, you're not sure you're going to beat him. It's tough if you have no legs.