NITTO ATP FINALS

November 14, 2023

Holger Rune

Pala Alpitour,Torino

Press Conference

H. RUNE/S. Tsitsipas

2-1 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Holger, if you can just walk us through those three games.

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, obviously I prepared the match as it was going to be a normal match. I didn't know anything before starting. I was just ready to compete and build on the level that I did on Sunday. Was expecting a different match obviously, but another tough one.

I saved two break points in the first game, so it actually started off very, very tough. Again, unfortunate to end this way.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When did you realize in the match that this was not going to go the distance? Had you not heard any of the rumors from a couple of days ago that he'd had a lower back scan?

HOLGER RUNE: No, no, no, I didn't hear.

Q. He denied that he had one, but I was curious.

HOLGER RUNE: Back or elbow?

Q. I heard back.

HOLGER RUNE: No, no, no, I didn't know.

You never know. He was serving slow in this one game, but it might be tactical. He still held. I didn't manage to break him, so it was still effective.

I didn't hear any rumors. I was ready for it. I was honestly, like, woke up as always do, preparing as always do. Never had one thought in my mind that he might retire actually.

Of course, it's very, very unfortunate for the fans because it's a tough one. But, again, good for my legs (smiling).

Q. I noticed Boris likes to stand up a lot. Often the only one standing in the stadium. Is he trying to get your attention? What's going on there?

HOLGER RUNE: Might be for the blood flow for the legs, you know (smiling).

No, no, I just think when he wants to do the coaching, he stands up. He can express more his way of coaching me. So I think that's why. I haven't asked him why he do it.

Yeah, I mean, when I worked with Patrick, he also did it a lot. I think it's just a character thing that some do, some don't do.

But, yeah, I like the way my box are, my box behaves. It's cool to have him, Lapo, Mike and my mom to be here with me.

Q. You've had some great matches with Novak. For 36, he moves quite well. What is it about his movement that makes it so special?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, for me he's reading the game extremely well - better than anyone, I think. Also, I was reflecting a lot obviously on that match because it hurt to lose that one.

Again, I feel like against many players out there you can hit a great shot and you can be in a good position. Against him, you hit a great shot, it comes deep back.

I think it's not just his ball quality, it's also how well he reads the game, to be able to hit shots like that. I think I did manage to make him uncomfortable also in his movement, but it's definitely a hard thing to do.

I think he's really, really good at pushing himself also.

Q. As you can imagine, Italians, we already are thinking about your next match with Sinner. When you talk about young people, you just talk about how strong you are, how good you are, how nice you are.

HOLGER RUNE: Thank you very much (smiling).

Q. I would like to know, I know you are very smart, tell us something about the weakness of Sinner.

HOLGER RUNE: You never want to say 'weakness' because obviously I know what he dislike more on the court. Of course, I'm not going to say that. Of course, I'm not going to say that. That's not how tennis works. You don't say these kind of things (smiling).

I think he has so many strengths that it protects his weakness. I think all the players has their strengths and the things maybe you wouldn't call it 'weakness', maybe just things they dislike a bit more than other things. Me, too. I have it also. I think he protects it very well.

Let's say Stefanos also, he has few things on the court that he like more than others. But he tries to, like, protect it as good as possible. I think that's why we're in the Finals, eight best players in the world, because we show our strengths most of the time.

Q. To him is better to play on this surface? Do you think this is his best surface?

HOLGER RUNE: For Sinner?

Q. Yes.

HOLGER RUNE: I think he made the best results on hard courts, if I'm right. To be honest, no, maybe Wimbledon actually. Maybe grass.

To be honest, like Alcaraz, all-court player. There's not one surface that I would prefer to play him on, to be honest.

He can do whatever he wants on the court. He can hit a great forehand, great backhand, great volley. Great movement, serve, everything. Obviously it's more tough here in Italy to play him. That's what it is. I'm just going to prepare.

Q. Stefanos said a few days ago that ATP Finals are more important tournament than Grand Slams. What do you think about it? In your opinion, what is the most important tournament?

HOLGER RUNE: I think the Nitto ATP Finals is the biggest ATP event we have. I think it's super, super exciting event because I compare it a little bit to Formula 1, if you can, because they have these smaller events with less players. It's very intense. It's less matches. Top against top. Obviously you have one day rest every time, so it's nice for the body also.

I think, I mean, if you ask me would I rather win a Grand Slam or win the ATP Finals, my dream has always been to win a Grand Slam, but my dream is also to win here.

It's tough to make an order. But for me, for me, Grand Slams is, yeah, the biggest thing we have in tennis.