Holger Rune hasn't been on the ATP Tour for too long but he is a true student of the game which was confirmed by fellow players.
Rune was famously described as someone who is obsessed with tennis by fellow player Stefanos Tsitsipas who got to see him up close at the Mouratoglou Academy which has become the St. Tropez of Tennis in recent years.
The Greek noted similarities between a young self and Rune as they were both consumed by tennis in an incredible way. The young Dane got to show off his tennis knowledge by building his own perfect player with ATPTour.com. He started off with the forehand picking Fernando Gonzalez.
It's so big and on every surface, he managed to hit it so unbelievably. I like the swing, pretty big but it's really effective.
When it comes to the return and backhand Rune picked Novak Djokovic. The Serbian is well regarded for both shots and Rune had the chance to experience both though he managed quite well. He beat him at the Paris Masters last year and more recently at the Italian Open as well.
Backhand I would go Novak Djokovic. It's pretty simple but the way he changes directions. He does it like no other player so that's pretty impressive. The Return? Novak again.
When it comes to the serve, Rune agrees with his current coach Patrick Mouratoglou. It's Nick Kyrgios to whom the shot comes very naturally. Rune even admitted to asking him about it and the Australian said that it was simply something that comes naturally to him without too much practice.
I asked him about it and he said it's very natural. He's the best server on the Tour as he can hit every spot on the court. I asked if he practiced it a lot and he said not really. I know the feeling, some shots are more natural and I practice them less.
There were plenty of more categories Rune touched upon including speed, movement, stamina, touch, net game, mental toughness and others with a vast array of players chosen. He showed himself to be quite a good student of the game but he got the chance to grow up as a keen tennis fan in the strongest era of tennis so it's only natural that he's so consumed by it. Check out the rest of his picks below.
Slice: Federer
Touch: Federer
Net game: Federer
Movement: Alcaraz
Speed: Myself (Rune)
Flexibility: Djokovic
Mental toughness: Nadal
Physical stamina: Medvedev
Competitiveness: Nadal
Celebration: Cristiano Ronaldo... Joking...Federer
Drop Shot backhand: Djokovic
Drop Shot forehand: Federer
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