Novak Djokovic drew Holger Rune in the opening match of the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin, and Eurosport tennis analyst Alex Corretja thinks it's a pretty tough challenge.
Corretja knows tennis, which isn't surprising as he's a former ATP player, and he's correct. Holger Rune is about the toughest possible opponent Djokovic could have faced in the opening round of the ATP Finals. Several factors contribute to that, but it's mostly the matchup that can be tricky for the 36-year-old.
Rune bested him indoors and on clay in the past, showcasing that he knows how to play him. Their recent clash in Paris was won by Djokovic, but even that match went to three sets, further confirming the complicated nature of the matchup.
In an interview with Eurosport, Corretja broke down what he expects to see in that first match from both players.
I think it's the toughest draw that Novak could face in the opening round, playing against Holger. Because the way they know each other, Holger feels that he can beat Novak.
Even with the complicated nature of the matchup, Corretja predicts that Djokovic will find a way as he did in Paris. That week in Paris was actually very complicated for the Serbian as he had to navigate multiple tough matches.
In some ways the final was his easiest match but it also prepared him well for what's going to come in Turin.
At the same time, definitely Novak knows better than anyone else how to deal with those moments. He likes the challenges, he likes those tight matches. But it's not that easy because maybe the first day in a regular tournament, you have the feeling that you are playing maybe a top 40 or top 50 guy. [But] you're going to play someone who has beaten you.
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