Holger Rune suffered a pretty upsetting loss at the 2024 Madrid Open, and he wasn't happy about his performance.
The Danish player is not having the type of clay season he had last year. This year has looked much worse, both on clay and generally. He dropped out of the Top 10 as a result, and it didn't go quite well at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid either.
Tallon Griekspoor beat him relatively early in the event. The Dutch player is a tough player to play, so Rune's loss is a surprise, but at the same time, it's not the most shocking upset at the tournament.
Griekspoor's superb serve caused a lot of damage in this match, and Rune simply couldn't find a solution. Speaking with Danish TV2 after the match, the 20-year-old admitted his frustration with the loss and his general inability to find his best tennis lately.
It is of course frustrating when I can’t find my game at all. I can’t lie about that. It is very clear that I have not played optimally, so I have to get back on track. Congratulations to Tallon – he played a good game and was better at the important moments. I played well below my level and I need to step up.
Rune will take some time off now, and he'll spend it back home in Denmark. He's turning 21 on Monday, and he'll celebrate it back home with the family. The hope is that he can find his best tennis after that, with the Italian Open in Rome being his first event as a 21-year-old.
"I am going back to Denmark and celebrate (his birthday) with the family. The plan was, of course, to be here (in Madrid), but that’s how it is. I have to go back and have a good time with the family. Then hopefully I can play better tennis when I turn 21."