“I’m working day in and day out" admits Holger Rune as he works towards his goals
ATP
Holger Rune has explained his determination to improve his game following his round-of-16 win over Adrian Mannarino at the 2022 Lyon Open.
Rune has shown huge improvements in the 2022 season so far. After starting the campaign ranked outside the ATP's top 100, the Danish player has since climbed up to 40th in the rankings—a position that could improve if he continues to progress in Lyon.
The 19-year-old holds his highest-ever place in the ATP standings, but he will likely improve this season and beyond. Rune showed his potential at the youth level before turning professional in 2020, reaching number one in the junior rankings and winning the 2019 Boys' Roland Garros event.
Ultimately, the young Dane could be targeting a strong run at this season's Roland Garros. He made his Grand Slam debut at the end of the 2021 season, reaching round one at the US Open before making the 2022 Australian Open main draw in January.
Following his Lyon Open victory over Mannarino, Rune said he was pleased with how he coped with his experienced opponent to reach the quarter-final stage. However, the 19-year-old also praised his own physiological game and said that each win is helping him to improve and to achieve his goals.
"It was a very difficult match. I knew the conditions were good for him because he plays super aggressive and super close to the baseline, so I really had to try to focus on my game, to try to push him."
"It worked out very well, but of course he’s such a talented player, so it was very tough. But I’m very happy with the way I stayed focussed. I’m working day in and day out. I’m just trying to use every match to play better, to improve myself, and it [was] better today, so I’m going in the right direction."
Rune is growing in confidence following his first-ever ATP Tour title win in Munich last month, and another deep run in Lyon could make him one to watch at the 2022 Roland Garros.
The Danish up-and-coming player entered the Lyon Open as the ninth seed and will surely be targeting his first consecutive ATP titles.
