Google News Holger Rune: I felt like Roger Federer on court during Novak Djokovic clash
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 6756
Rising Danish star Holger Rune absolutely enjoyed playing world No. 1 Novak Djokovic though he lost the match. Rune, who made it past the Us Open qualifying event to earn a main draw place, competed well against Djokovic but the Serb claimed a 6-1 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-1 win.
"When it came to the match, it was fabulous. Everyone was cheering and people were yelling my name. Initially, I did not know what they were saying, but when I found out they were calling my name, I was so happy and almost felt like Roger on court.
In that moment, I was literally surrounded by passionate, happy people – just like myself – and I have goosebumps writing about it now," Rune wrote on his blog. "It goes without saying that it is not easy playing against Djokovic, and I could do nothing but fight.
Even though I think I played fairly well in the first set, I still lost 6-1. I just had to keep going as I didn’t feel as though I played as bad as the scoreline suggested."
Rune dealt with cramps
Rune was unable to deliver his best tennis in the last two sets of the match and he suspected that the pressure he felt might have caused some tightness.
"I was right. I won the second set 7-6 and what an energy and support that was met with – I absolutely loved it. However, in the third set I had cramps, which I was starting to feel at the end of the second," Rune said.
"It has been a long time since I have had cramps. Earlier this year it was a problem, but we found the right balance between salt and magnesium and the problem was solved. "I think maybe all the tension before the match and just playing Djokovic maybe made the muscles tighten even more.
Also, Djokovic plays so close to the lines on every shot, so I had to run so much more in every point than against the players I normally come up against. "I really wanted to take the match to five sets, but this will have to wait for next time.
Despite the defeat, I have taken so much from this match and there is so much that I want to improve in my own game now."