Holger Rune surprised the tennis world this week when news of his parting of ways from Severin Luthi came to light, and now his ex-coach has had his say on that sudden split.
Rune appeared to have landed a major coup at the end of last season. After struggling for form at the end of European summer, in which he won one match from mid-July to mid-October, he appointed two multi-Grand Slam-winning coaches to aid him in his development.
First, Rune confirmed a contract extension for his interim coach, Bris Becker, for the new season in 2024. The Dane credited Becker for helping revive his form and salvage his second half of 2023.
Becker previously worked with Novak Djokovic and helped the Serbian World No. 1 win six Grand Slams between 2014 and 2016. But it was Rune's appointment of Swiss coach Severin Luthi that generated quite the buzz on the internet in mid-December.
Luthi had worked with 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer for almost 15 years and currently serves as Switzerland's Davis Cup team captain. At the time of the announcement, Luthi and Becker were expected to share coaching and traveling roles in the team.
But less than two months into the role, Luthi and Rune parted company. The young Dane's mother and manager Aneke Rune, revealed to Ekstra Bladet of the mutual termination of the contract because of scheduling challenges.
Luthi only appeared at the Australian Open, where Rune was shocked in the second round by French youngster Arthur Cazaux. It turned out to be their one and only tournament together.
Aneke also explained that the "timing" of Luthi's involvement in the team was "not right," leaving tennis fans slightly surprised as to why such important details were not ironed out before they began working together. However, Luthi has shed light on the experience to Blick and concurs with Aneke.
"If you notice this, then I say, we would rather separate now than in six months. I think about things like this carefully, maybe sometimes too carefully. I'm glad I was able to have this experience - it was my first job after Roger Federer's retirement. That will help me personally."
Becker's part-time punditry role with Eurosport ended after the Australian Open, and he will resume coaching Rune. The 20-year-old has since replaced Luthi with Kenneth Carlsen, the man who stepped in during the opening week in Brisbane, where Rune reached the final.
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