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Novak Djokovic feels he and Holger Rune "have kind of similar game" and praised the Dane by saying he already sees improvement in his game since hiring Boris Becker. In the Paris Masters quarterfinal, Djokovic overcame Rune in three sets 7-5 6-7 (3) 6-4.
Rune, 20, is one of the most talented players in today's tennis and he famously lifted his first Masters title by stunning Djokovic 3-6 6-3 7-5 in the 2022 Paris final. After beating Djokovic in the 2022 Paris Masters final and also upsetting the Serb at this year's Rome Masters, Rune again came close to beating the world No 1.
Also, Friday's meeting between Rune and Djokovic was interesting due to the fact that Djokovic's ex-coach Becker was sitting in the Dane's box.
Djokovic speaks highly of Rune's game
"Quite a similar match to last year's final to be honest.
Was really anybody's game every set. You know I played an awful tiebreak in the second set, to be honest probably the worst one this year but again credit to him for staying mentally tough and playing solid from baseline. We have kind of similar game, we both move well, defend well and kind of all-round players.
He's been, I think, playing much better in the last few weeks, ever since he started working with Boris. It was strange to see Boris in the opposing box but again I knew it might happen already this week. You know I wish him, obviously Holger and him, the best in Turin," Djokovic said.
Meanwhile, the head-to-head between Djokovic and Rune now stands at 2-2. When Djokovic and Rune met for the first time at the 2021 US Open, the Serb claimed a four-set win. Rune then beat Djokovic in 2022 Paris and 2023 Rome before the Serb beat the Dane in Paris this Friday. Djokovic and Rune could potentially meet at the upcoming ATP Finals.