Rune hires former Djokovic coach

After losing 10 of his last 11 matches, the world number six decided to team up with coach Boris Becker, who previously coached Novak Djokovic.

On October 19th, coach Becker announced exclusively on the Eurosport Germany podcast that he will be coaching Holger Rune for the remainder of the 2023 season. The Danish player has been losing consecutively since his elimination in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in early July and had recently contacted the German strategist.

Coach Becker hasn't coached a tennis player since parting ways with Djokovic in 2016. Photo: EG

"I'm a little proud that he contacted me," said Becker, a six-time Grand Slam winner. "We've known each other for a long time. When he was 16, Holger sparred with Djokovic at the ATP Finals. I've always been interested in Holger Rune because he's very determined on the court and has a lot of character."

During his coaching career, Becker helped Djokovic win six Grand Slams between 2014 and 2016, including Roland Garros in 2016. Afterward, the former German tennis player faced legal troubles for tax evasion and received significant support from Djokovic. He transitioned to working as a sports commentator after parting ways with Djokovic.

Rune will be the second player Becker has coached to date. In an announcement on October 19th, the 55-year-old strategist stated that the upcoming collaboration is a "great fit" for both parties. Rune is struggling with a major post-back injury injury, having lost 10 of his last 11 matches in the past three months. Yesterday, October 18th, the 20-year-old suffered another defeat in his opening match at the Stockholm Open, losing 4-6, 2-6 to Miomir Kecmanovic.

Rune was disappointed after losing by one point in the match against Kecmanovic on October 18. Photo: AP

Back in April, Rune parted ways with veteran coach Patrick Mouratoglou after only six months, reuniting with his former coach Lars Christensen. However, that partnership with a fellow Danish coach also proved ineffective. The Danish player will now work with Becker, starting with the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel next week.

Rune's family wanted Becker to join the coaching team in Stockholm this week, but he had prior personal commitments. Becker will join Rune's mother, Aneke, and coach Lapo Becherini in overseeing the 20-year-old's career. Their biggest goal for the remainder of the year is to help Rune qualify for the ATP Finals – the tournament for the top eight players of the season in Turin, Italy.

"Rune is a rough gem that needs polishing," Becker added. "He needs better emotional control. I coached Djokovic, who sometimes isn't quite himself on the court. With Rune, the issue isn't about kicking his mother out of the stands during a match, but about winning. I have some ideas about what can be improved, starting with his attitude, mentality, and spirit."

Becker also rated Rune as one of the top young players in the world today, alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton, and Sebastian Korda. He didn't claim he would make Rune the world number one as the player dreams of, but said he would try to help him become the best version of himself. In his young career, Rune's highlight was winning the Paris Masters last year, where he defeated Djokovic in the final.

Vy Anh

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