Rune says Australian Open success requires patience: "It's a marathon, not a sprint"

Following his victory against Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the Australian Open, Holger Rune emphasized the importance of patience in securing wins during extended matches.

The 21-year-old Danish tennis player demonstrated remarkable composure and patience throughout his four-set match against the Italian Berrettini on Thursday morning.

Patience was evidently a crucial element of his strategy against the hard-hitting Italian. Rune also took additional time between points to maintain his mental clarity during the challenging encounter.

"I often remind myself that these matches are played over five sets. One cannot approach them with the expectation of a quick resolution. It is a marathon, not a sprint," Rune stated after his victory to Danish broadcaster Kanal 5.

"I make an effort to take more time between points to breathe, as momentum can shift rapidly. Had I lost the fourth set unexpectedly, I might have exhausted my mental resources before the fifth set."

The Dane expressed satisfaction with his performance in the 7-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 win over the 28-year-old Berrettini, known for his formidable serve.

"I believe I significantly improved my level compared to my first match here," Rune remarked, referring to his five-set victory against Zhizhen Zhang in the opening round.

In the third round, Rune will face the 25-year-old Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, currently ranked 51st in the world, while Rune holds the 13th position.

The two players have faced each other twice previously, with each securing one victory. Both encounters took place in 2023. Rune acknowledged the challenge of overcoming a player with few weaknesses in his game.

"He possesses a strong forehand and backhand. Overall, he does not exhibit many vulnerabilities," Rune commented to Kanal 5.

Kecmanovic achieved an unexpected victory in the second round against the 18th-seeded Hubert Hurkacz. The winner of the match between Kecmanovic and Rune may potentially face the top-seeded Jannik Sinner in the fourth round.

Sinner is set to compete against the American Marcos Giron in the third round.

SportsLigue