THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 6, 2024

Holger Rune

Press Conference

H. RUNE/Q. Halys

1-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Tell me how much moving to Court 1 from Court 18 played a part in your victory today, Holger?

HOLGER RUNE: I don't think it was the main reason, but I was definitely happy to get in there on Court 1. It's a nice court. Completely different conditions.

Managed to raise my level, raise my tennis when it mattered. But already from two sets to love down, I won a set on Court 18. I told myself it has to be the first time today I come back two sets to love and win the match, and I managed to do it. I'm extremely proud, yeah.

Q. I'm going ask you, you already have seen it. You are going to play against Novak Djokovic next round. You have five matches between each other. It was tight last time. Can you share your opinion? What can we expect in the next one?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, I'm expecting a tough battle. I think that's always how it's going to be when you play Novak. He's one of the toughest competitors of all time and one of the most successful players. So I'm expecting nothing but a great level from him.

I know he did his surgery, but honestly I practiced with him in the first week, and I saw him playing a little bit. He seems like he's playing very well, feeling confident. Definitely have to play on my best level to have a chance to win, so that's what I'm going to try to do.

Q. You've been on a few outside courts so far this week. I don't know if you were expecting to be on them, but what was that like, and what are you expecting about playing Novak Djokovic probably on Centre Court?

HOLGER RUNE: Yeah, as I said before, I didn't pay too much attention on which court I got. I was obviously a little bit surprised today that I was on 18 again, but it is what it is.

We moved to Court 1, which was nice because that's closer to Centre Court vibe kind of. And I'm happy that, first of all, happy that I just won. I was kind of close to losing, but again I kept believing. Definitely going to request Court 18 again next match (laughing). I'm joking.

No, but obviously I'm expecting Centre Court. Novak won seven times, so I'm sure it's going to be that. But most of all I'm not really focused on that. I'm mainly focused on my game and the mental and physical that I want to improve. Wherever that is, I can work on it.

Q. You talk about your game, obviously you have been developing your game. These past years in the professional tour, which section of your game do you consider that you have improved the most?

HOLGER RUNE: I would say serve and return, especially in this tournament. That's what I'm trying to improve a lot as well because the first four shots is super important in general and on grass because the rallies are not super long always.

I thought I showed it well against a player like Quentin Halys, who has a massive serve and goes big on the return. I had to be really ready on the legs and ready on the first few shots of every rally to be sharp there.

Honestly, I was a bit rushed in the beginning. I was not really ready for what he was coming with. But I managed to speed up my legs. And then my baseline game is getting better I think. I think I trust that I can play with everyone from the baseline. Then I like to come to the net as well to mix it up. I just like all kind of variations in my game.