ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2024

Holger Rune

Press Conference

H. RUNE/D. Evans

6-4, 6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. That was a pretty smooth start. What do you owe that to, and what have you and Patrick been talking about the last week to ten days in terms of preparing for this, about three things that are most important for you to have this kind of start?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, it was a good start, I think. Very solid match from start to finish. Yeah, we had a good preparation, I would say. We had obviously time after Rome to really prepare with my game and physically and mentally, as well. I think we used the time right. So now is just to perform and put everything together.

And, yeah, we are working always on my game. I think my game is good. My physicality felt great today, so it's a thing we have really been working on to be able to stay out there and not feel fatigued and feel explosive even after hours of playing, and I definitely felt that today.

And mentally just to stay composed. You know, there is always challenges in the matches. You know, today was a call here and there. I thought I stayed composed. Been working on that, as well.

I just focus on doing everything to give me a chance to win.

Q. Can I ask how you found the conditions today?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, they were obviously very different compared to how it is normally here in French Open. We played indoors, so it was very slow, I would say, because it was cold. The bounce was very low.

Also the way he's playing, you know, he likes the slice obviously, and he's a very good grass court player as well so he plays pretty flat over the net. Definitely some adjustments.

I practiced with him only one time in my life, so obviously I know him, but it's not that I know his game inside and out. So, yeah, it took a lot of time to adjust.

Honestly, I think I did enough. You know, didn't hit all my spots as I wanted to, but it was good enough, and definitely something to build on.

Q. Novak currently is playing out on Chatrier. You've played him and beaten him on clay. How good a player is he on clay courts? Obviously he gets a bit overshadowed because of Rafa. How did you find him on this surface?

HOLGER RUNE: I think if Rafa wasn't here, Novak would be the best clay court player. So, you know, he's won three French Opens, I think, which is amazing. He made tons of finals I guess against Rafa.

I think it takes him a little longer time to get to his best level on the clay than other surfaces, but he's a champion and he always find his best level when it matters. Honestly, you can never count him out. I wouldn't be surprised if he found his level again here.

He's great, especially when it matters the most. He just finds his best tennis.

Q. Do you look at a tournament like this as sort of like a reset, given sort of what you have been through the last few months? You're harder on yourself than anybody is. You know, you know what it took to get to, what, No. 4 I think was your high watermark and you probably want to get back there as quickly as you can.

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, yeah, for sure. I mean, that's life. Sometimes it goes good; sometimes it doesn't go good. It's just important that you learn. Honestly, how I handle everything, the last year there was a lot to learn, and if you look at my circumstances it was almost impossible to do better than I did.

Yeah, I feel like I'm kind of back on track, have stability in my team, which is nice in my life. So it's going in the right direction. I'm improving on court. Now it's just about to get that few match wins under the belt, to get some rhythm and gain some confidence in the matches as well.

Then, I believe, you know, I'm fitter than last year. I'm playing better and improved. I just need to put everything together.