ROLAND GARROS

June 8, 2023

Holger Rune

Press Conference

C. RUUD/H. Rune

6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: What made Casper so tough to beat tonight?

HOLGER RUNE: I think I started very, very bad, unfortunately. I didn't find my level at all the first two sets. Then I started to play a little bit better. Found some rhythm in my game. Managed to put him under pressure.

But, again, it's too costly to start so late. Against a great player like him, he deserved to win because, first of all, I wasn't there the first two sets, but you cannot allow yourself to do that when you play a player like Casper, and any player at the top of the game, because it's too long of a way back. Credit to him for staying there.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. During the first two sets it seems like you couldn't just control the ball. How did you feel on the court?

HOLGER RUNE: As I said, I didn't feel good. I didn't play well. But, yeah, that's life sometimes. You cannot always find your best level.

I tried everything I could to get some rhythm and try to get back on track. Managed to come back in the third, but it's late, you know, when you waste two sets like this.

But, yeah, I tried to trust my tennis, commit fully to my shots, but they were everywhere, my shots. Sometimes you have days like this.

Q. Based on what you have seen tonight from Casper, how do you think he will go against Zverev, firstly, and chances beyond that?

HOLGER RUNE: It's a good question. I mean, it's tough to say because every matchup is different. I'll probably say Casper is the favorite for the semifinal, but, again, you know, Zverev, if you asked me one year ago I would probably say that Zverev is the favorite. It's tough to say.

Zverev is coming back strong after his injury, but right now I think I see Casper in the final, but again, who knows? We will see. Zverev is showing good shape and good form, so it's going to be an interesting semifinal. Yeah, hopefully it's good for them.

Q. How did you pull up after the Cerundolo match? Did that affect tonight at all?

HOLGER RUNE: Not at all. I was fine physically. No excuse.

I just didn't play my level. It's tough, but sometimes it's like this, and you have to learn from it, come back stronger.

We have another Grand Slam around the corner, so I hope to be stronger there. I'm happy that the clay season is over now. I'm ready to move on. Yeah, just focused on the grass now.

Q. I was just wondering, did you notice any big differences playing him today compared to how you played him in Rome?

HOLGER RUNE: Not really. I think I was less sharp. I think Casper is a really, really solid player. You know, he is -- how do you say? His lower level is really high. He never drops. I think maybe he does, but you don't really feel it.

I have to play some of my best tennis every time I play him to beat him or have a chance to beat him. I managed to do that in Rome.

It's tough. Like the first two sets, I didn't really get the chance to see how well he played because I missed so many shots. In the third and fourth set I started to play better, and I thought he still played good.

He managed to play better in the fourth. In the key moments he was more brave and going for his shots and making them. So, yeah, credit to him.

Q. It appeared that you have had some problems with your back. I saw you were holding to your back often during the match. Was it a problem for you?

HOLGER RUNE: I have constant some problems, but it wasn't anything that would have -- if I didn't feel it, it wouldn't have changed the match.

So it's not something that I can use as an excuse. He was just better than me today, so I have to take it and move on and try to improve.

Of course, I'm going to try to recover first physically with the issues I have. I played a lot, as I said in the past, so, of course, my body is feeling it. I feel fresh today, honestly, so that's not the case.