After a gruelling ATP finals clash in Turin that saw Novak Djokovic come out on top over Holger Rune 7-6(4) (1)6-7 6-3, the Serbian legend insisted that playing the Dane is like “looking in a mirror”. However, Rune doesn’t agree with the comparison.
Djokovic ensured he will finish the year ranked world No 1 for a record-extending eighth time after beating the 20-year-old. But it didn’t come easily. Rune dragged Djokovic into deep waters after nicking the second set as the pair battled it out for an agonising three hours and four minutes on centre court.
Rune has always fared better than most against Djokovic with two wins from their last five encounters in Paris last autumn and Rome in the spring. The Danish youngster has also won at least a set against Djokovic in every match they have played.
In the immediate aftermath of their most recent encounter, Djokovic explained why Rune is one of his toughest tests in the tennis world today. “It’s like looking at myself in the mirror. He is so good all over the pitch. He has some amazing escapes at the net,” said Djokovic. “He makes big serve, he makes kick serve. He is dynamic. He lives off the energy of the audience. He has everything in his game.
“We all know that he has a great future ahead of him. He wants to win slams and he is definitely one of those who has the skills to do so. Hopefully, we can have more of this kind of match.” But despite the compliment Rune doesn’t think they share many similarities.
“No. I mean, of course, I take the compliment that he’s saying we play similarly,” said Rune in response to Djokovic’s classy comments. “I don’t think so, but that’s my opinion. It’s good to be comparing with him. He’s one of the greatest that we ever had in the game.
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“I think physically I felt okay. Of course, I feel it. We played for three hours. But I’m sure he also felt it a little bit. I was ready, if I had the chance, from 5-3 to 5-4 to keep going, but that didn’t happen.
“I think I tried to manage my energy as good as possible during the match, not use too much, like, energy, unnecessary energy, and stay calm and play the tennis that I like to play.”
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