BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL

December 30, 2023

Holger Rune

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to Holger's press conference. I'll start with the first question. You've been here for a few days practicing. The draw is out today. Your thoughts ahead to your first-round match against Max Purcell.

HOLGER RUNE: I'm happy to be in Brisbane for the first time. It's a great city, great conditions to play. I think it was very hot the last two days, but good to prepare in probably warmer condition than it's going to be the next days.

Yeah, about my first round, I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be hopefully a great match. He's a home-court player here, so it's going to be an advantage. Yeah, I'm looking forward to the challenge.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How are you feeling at the start of this season? You had a difficult time towards the end of last year but finished on a high, two new coaches in place.

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I think I managed to turn the season around pretty good at the last couple of tournaments, playing some good tennis again, finding my level. Even though was a tough, like, period of time after Wimbledon, I still proud that I could say I finished in Turin because that showed I had a solid year.

Yeah, I'm happy to start the new season. Very excited. Had a good long off-season. A little practice, preparation. Happy to start with the new team in 2024. I'm looking forward to it.

Q. No. 1 seed here in Brisbane. How do you feel about carrying that tag into the tournament?

HOLGER RUNE: Very good. I mean, it's a big privilege to be the first seeded here. Surrounded by many good players.

First of all, great to see Rafa back. I had a practice with him the first day here. It's cool to have him in the tournament, playing doubles with Murray. It's very nice.

I'm just looking forward to it. Hopefully I can start the season great, start to build on something, yeah, improve my game.

Q. Could you talk about Boris Becker, the addition of him to your coaching team?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, it's been great so far. I mean, we've been working a lot on the court with different things. Yeah, I mean, he has a lot of tools because he's been there himself also mentally. He really knows how you feel. I think if you haven't been there in the situation, you don't know really how it feels to be there with the pressure and everything.

I think it's great that he can share some of these moments of his career so I can, you can say, improve a bit faster in that way. Yeah, it's great to have him.

Q. You mentioned you had the training here with Rafa. How did he look? Still as sharp as ever?

HOLGER RUNE: It's funny, like after the practice I talked to my team, and I thought he played unbelievable. We were hitting. He was hitting strong. He always used to hit strong. Then we started points and I thought he was moving very well, moving side to side extremely fast.

I think the intensity he brings is incredible. Like, I've been playing I think a very intense pre-season and a very intense end of the season last year, and that was probably the hardest practice I've had the last half year, I would say.

Q. What have you liked most about Brisbane so far?

HOLGER RUNE: The center court is very nice. I think it's nice with the roof. Especially, as I said, the last two days was very hot. Definitely makes a big difference.

I think it's a nice site here, good atmosphere. Seems like even though hasn't been so many people yet, people seem to really enjoy tennis. Yeah, it's a great city also. I'm very happy to be here for the first time.