THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 12, 2023

Holger Rune

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/H. Rune

7-6, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Holger Rune.

Holger, didn't come out on your side today. Give us your thoughts.

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, of course a little bit disappointed. I didn't feel the best in today's match, but I did my best not to disappoint the crowd. I tried to fight until the end.

Didn't feel as I feel the other days when I woke up this morning. But it's a part of it. I had to do my best and see if I had a chance.

But, yeah, unfortunate.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Do you have a little regret somewhere, or you leave and you say that you've done your best, couldn't have changed anything?

HOLGER RUNE: I did my best from all the circumstances. I fought till the end. He played a good match. I could have played better, I think. It's a part of it. Just have to move on.

Q. You didn't feel well, can you say a little bit more about how you felt?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, this morning I didn't feel very good when I woke up. But, again, it's normal. You don't feel good every time you wake up.

But, yeah, I had to do everything I could to feel better for the match, but didn't have the same energy as I normally have when I play.

Yeah, I tried. I tried everything I could.

Q. Were you feeling a bit sick or...

HOLGER RUNE: This morning I felt a bit bad when I woke up. Carried it a little bit in the warm-up.

Yeah, I mean, it's a part of it. Sometimes when you play in many tournaments, many matches, you start to feel it also. Actually in Paris last year, I also felt it. But there it went well. I just think it's a part of it. It's normal as humans.

Q. You come to grass court season not having won a grass court match in your career. Can you reflect on the progress you've made on the surface.

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, it's positive, for sure. You know, first semifinal in a 500 and quarters in a slam here, it's great.

But yeah, I mean, it's great.

Q. A bit more about how you were feeling physically. Do you feel that played a part in the match itself? It seemed to be a very close and intense match maybe until midway through the second set.

HOLGER RUNE: I feel like whoever got that first set had a big advantage. I was okay after I lost the first set because I did it also against Grigor. I was like, Okay, I'm going to try to find my way in the match.

But he gained more confidence from that set. I didn't. I think if I maybe won the first set, could have looked different maybe in the second set. But I didn't.

He gained the momentum and started to play better.

Q. What are the learnings that you'll take away from that particular match? Is there anything you can take away, just the experience being on Centre Court, playing him?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I think I've learned that no matter what the circumstances is, I have to commit full to my game. I don't think I did 100% today. I let him take advantage of I think too many points. When he has the chance to take advantage, he's amazing.

I have to be better to take my chances. When I have like a free ball, go full.

Q. Your next engagement Hopman Cup. Could I ask how much you are looking forward to playing that tournament?

HOLGER RUNE: Give me a break. I'm joking (laughter).

Obviously my mind hasn't crossed that tournament yet. Yeah, I know it's next week. Yeah, I mean, I guess I'll be traveling back home, maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after, then rest a bit, then play that.

Yeah, we'll see. I mean, obviously now I'm not super happy. But yeah, we'll see.

Q. There's only a week in age between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. They've obviously been a huge part of each other's careers. I think I'm right in saying it's exact the same for you and Carlos. Do you have to embrace that rivalry going forward?

HOLGER RUNE: I think it's great. It's really cool that we are very close in age. I hope that we can continue, that we can continue on this level for many years.

He's fit. I'm fit. I think that we have what it takes to play many more battles. He also told me after the match that we'll play many times.

I hope we can continue on this level for many years.