ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2022

Holger Rune

Press Conference

H. RUNE/H. Laaksonen

6-2, 6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. We should ask about your ankle. How's it feeling? That was unfortunate having a tight spot there on the back of that court.

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I mean, it was very unfortunate. Obviously I got very scared when it happened, because I was leading in the match and playing a great match, I think, and I thought it would be worse. It's not too bad. Still I thought it would be better to retire for the doubles, as I did, to see how much I can improve it for my singles on Saturday.

It's already improving. I did a lot for it today, a lot of recovery. I'm very hopeful. I'm just also satisfied with how I played today.

Q. Just a question on your two matches here. You have shown remarkable efficiency having won without dropping a set. How would you characterize these two games up till now and bigger things are coming your way now?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I mean, I have stayed very focused the whole tournament, playing two very good matches from my side, very focused, not giving a lot away, I should say. Really staying in the moment, focusing each set at a time. That's really been the key, because in these long matches, I think you cannot afford to look too much forward because the match can be very long. If you lose one set here and there, it could maybe be four-and-a-half hours.

I really told myself just to stay in the moment, be the best version of myself. It's been very good so far.

Q. You were saying it was scary when you turned your ankle at the back. Can you explain exactly what happened?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I was running for a backhand shot in defensive, and my foot kind of got stuck in this thing they put when it's raining. Yeah, it twisted.

Well, I mean, as I said, I have tried worse so I'm pretty experienced in this. It's getting better already so I'm very hopeful.

Q. The same thing happened to David Goffin here five years ago and he tripped on the court cover. Do you think the court covers should be further back or taken off the court?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I mean, I would like to have it taken off the court if I could choose that. And also these things, the things that are there, if you fall, I was almost going to fall and hit my elbow. It could be even more scary.

I would definitely suggest them to take it off. It can be dangerous and everybody plays in a different way, stays in a different way. I mean, just that maybe, I don't know, 50 more centimeters could make the difference.

Q. Can you tell us some words about your next opponent, Hugo Gaston. He said to us that you were kind of friends.

HOLGER RUNE: Uh-huh, yeah, yeah, we are good friends. We always had very good practice together. He's a nice guy. I really respect him as a player and as a person.

He's been doing some great things, especially here in Roland Garros. It's definitely going to be a tough match, and it's going to be probably on one of the big courts with a lot of people watching and cheering for him. I have to get mentally prepared, ready for that.

No, I'm excited for it. He's a funny player, in a way. He mix it up a lot. I'm excited to try to play him for the first time.

Q. You have played in Grand Slams before. How is this one different for you, other than the clay?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I really like the conditions here. It feels very much like home actually for me to be playing here. As I won as a junior, I have obviously great memories and kind of know the courts even though it's been three years since I was here.

Just feels really natural for me to play in the environment, and I have a lot of good fans here and family. It's for me in a way very cozy to play here.