'It Was A Myth About Not Having Time': Petchey On Rune's Coaching Drama

| by Nurein Ahmed

Holger Rune recently parted company with two of his prominent coaches in the space of a few days, something that completely took many by surprise.

First, the Dane called time on his association with Swiss coach Severin Luthi after less than two months of working together. In fact, Luthi, who was appointed in mid-December 2023, took charge of just one tournament in Rune's corner.

Boris Becker was previously a World No. 1 and has been a very successful pundit and tennis coach who has worked with Novak Djokovic and helped him win as many as six Grand Slams. But despite his conviction in the court of law and serving prison time, Rune was not deterred from calling on his services.

Last autumn, the 20-year-old was in the midst of his worst slump since arriving on the ATP scene. He hired Becker to help steady the ship until the end of the 2023 season, which the German great did with distinction and helped Rune qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin.

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That short and productive stint together was enough to justify an extension to their partnership, with both parties obliging. But Becker only lasted a few more days than Luthi as Rune's coach, and he left his role just a few weeks ago. The strange thing is that both coaches left for the same reason: time and scheduling complications.

But former British ATP player Mark Petchey, who currently works as a commentator, told the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast the reasoning was a "myth" and that the World No. 7 needs to hold his hand and accept that it hasn't worked out.

"As for Holger Rune, that's just bizarre, I mean, it's, you know, to get those guys on board, that's not enough time. I mean, Boris Becker couldn't even travel to Australia for known reasons."

"For, me I don't I don't really understand. It certainly wasn't time, Let's be honest. That was absolutely. You know, that was a myth, you know, whatever that mirage was that they said they didn't have the time. Yeah. The fact was it? It hasn't worked and Holger Rune needs to figure it out."

Rune is currently working with Kenneth Carlsen, who has been in his coaching box since the start of 2024. He reached the Brisbane final in their first tournament together when the world was led to believe he was a temporary coach deputizing for Luthi and Becker.

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