US OPEN

August 28, 2023

Holger Rune

Press Conference

R. CARBALLES BAENA/H. Rune

6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: If you could, your thoughts on today's match.

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, disappointing day today. I had, as you know, a setback after the tournaments in Toronto and Cincy where I had to retire. Not the best preparation I had.

So it's tough, you know, what to believe before you enter big tournaments like this. Not satisfied with the result obviously, but also with my tennis. There is only one way, and it's to work.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How did you feel about playing on Court 5? Is it difficult out there?

HOLGER RUNE: It's not difficult, but it's different. You're more close to all the people. It's a nice atmosphere. So, I mean, it's no problem with the court. I just didn't expect to play on that court.

I feel like it's normal. I mean, as best as you get in the ranking, it's more, you know, how you say, benefits you should get with playing in better conditions. So I think that's a normal way and it's also how ATP, like, it's how they do with all the players. But they didn't do it with me here.

That's obviously disappointing, but not going to blame the court on the loss. He played very, very solid. Credit to him.

Q. Curious in terms of your attitude, I saw the tweet with the map and everything on it. How much was that in your head with everything else going on with you? Or is that a negative mental space you were in coming to this tournament?

HOLGER RUNE: No, I just did it kind of for fun. I mean, of course I was a bit not happy when I saw the schedule, but, I mean, I saw the schedule Friday so I had time to recover from it. It's not like I can't play tennis if I play not on center court.

I played probably more matches on outside courts in my life than big courts, so all good. Yeah, I didn't play good, I think.

Yeah, it's been tough weeks also before US Open.

Q. Did you kind of seek an explanation as to why you were put on this court? Did they explain to you what seems kind of a pretty strange decision for a World No. 4?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, of course I tried to get an explanation, and, I mean, obviously they said what we all know, that they, you know, put the Americans on the big court, which is totally fine. I mean, I'm used to play a lot in France where they do that. So I respect that 100%.

That's not only the case here, that it's only Americans playing on the big courts. That card didn't really work. Then you try to ask more questions and they don't answer you. It's a little bit tough.

Q. The trainer came out in the third set and you were down 4-1 and then you won the next two games after that. How were you feeling then, and did you feel as if you, I guess, hit a wall towards the end of that set going into the fourth?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I think also one of the reasons, you know, it's not ideal that I didn't get more matches coming into this tournament, because the body, it's hard if you're not in the rhythm for the body.

Start feeling something on my left leg behind the knee. Not muscular, so I don't know, I have to check what it is.

Yeah, I felt it, the treatment helped a little bit, but yeah.

Q. When Lars is able to talk to you after the match with the situations like this, does he try to just give you space and just let you just process it, or is he someone that just wants to try to talk about what happened in the match? How is his process when he handles moments with you in these situations?

HOLGER RUNE: Who?

Q. Your coach.

HOLGER RUNE: Patrick or Lars?

Q. Lars.

HOLGER RUNE: Lars was not with me here.

Q. Patrick then.

HOLGER RUNE: Patrick, okay. We haven't spoken yet, but normally it's a calm talk when we talk. I mean, obviously we are all disappointed in the team, I think it's normal. It's the last Grand Slam of the year. I played some of my worst tennis. It's disappointing.

Only one thing I can do is learn from it, try to get stability in my team, stability around me, and, you know, do all the right things so I can perform when I'm on the court.

Q. Seems like this year you have had quite a few injuries, the wrist, the back. Wondering how many times you maybe considered not playing a tournament but ended up playing it and getting hurt?

HOLGER RUNE: I never consider not to play tournaments even though I'm hurt. I mean, of course I know if it's something dangerous I will not play. But also, I'm the kind of person I don't check everything if I'm hurt. I don't get a scan every time I feel something.

It's like I think it's normal when you're athlete, you feel your body. If you don't, that's ridiculous. But I think many players do, and I think it's a part of the job. It's a part you need to learn how to handle when you have pain or when you feel sore or whatever.

Yeah, it's a part of it.