Rune, after his great victory against Tsitsipas: "I believe I have become a more complete player"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 12 Mar 2025 | 01.46

Rune, after his big victory against Tsitsipas: "I believe I have become a more complete player." Photo: Getty Images.

Streaming ATP Barcelona live tennis

🎾 Andrey Rublev vs Arthur Fils

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

When it seems that hopes with Holger Rune are coming to an end, the Dane takes advantage of the opportunities to keep insisting that there is a lot of tennis left in him and that he wants to become one of the best players in the world. And he did it again against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16 at Indian Wells 2025. The Greek arrived in the Californian desert in great form and with a new tennis style, partly due to his new racket. However, he couldn't do anything against the Danish whirlwind of play, who remained very focused from start to finish (6-4, 6-4) and with the necessary concentration to achieve great things in this tournament and throughout the year. He spoke about his excellent match, his form, and his tennis in the subsequent press conference.

Unbeatable against Tsitsipas

"I think today I did many good things. I believe I was returning well, and obviously Stefanos and I have played and practiced together many times, so we know each other's game very well. I have great memories playing against him and valuable experience since the first time I played against him at the French Open in Paris, so I know my game plan very well, and I tried to execute it, and today I did it well."

His first victory against a Top-10 player on outdoor hard courts

"I had no idea about that, honestly. I don't keep count. It is, of course, great. I think outdoor hard courts were probably the surface I took the longest to get used to because in Denmark, we play on clay in the summer and indoors in the winter. Growing up, we didn't play much on outdoor hard courts. It is very important to be good on this surface because most tournaments are played under these conditions. Yes, and I feel good. I felt good here last year too. I like the conditions, and today was a good day."

Grateful for the affection he receives in Indian Wells

"It is fantastic. I believe I have received a lot of affection and great support in this tournament. I think the audience is very respectful. They support good tennis and are here to watch good matches. I try to fight and do my best. Without a doubt, seeing the Danish flag, as you mentioned, and people from Denmark traveling here to watch me play is fantastic."

His strengths in this victory

"I think I served much better than in the previous match, and I also hit my forehand better. Obviously, as I mentioned, I know Stefanos well, so I know how his ball feels. I felt better overall. I felt better in my movement, better in my return, better in my serve, better in my forehand. I think I improved three or four things. Yesterday I had a good day of training, very determined and focusing a lot on details, on shots. That was very important for today's match."

A much better player than two years ago

"I have learned my lesson. Things always happen for a reason. I believe every player deserves to be where they are, so I deserve my ranking. Whoever is in their ranking deserves it because it's about getting results, but also about improving your game and having stability. I think what I have done much better in this tournament so far is my mentality. I have been more consistent. This also translates into better results and a more consistent game. Because I don't think I have become the worst player of the last two years. In fact, I believe the opposite. I think I have become a more complete player. Mentally, I feel good right now. I feel very calm on the court, and yes, I take it day by day."

Happy with his current form

"Right now, I am enjoying it a lot. But, definitely, there have been some moments when I wasn't. But I think it's normal. When you have those expectations and don't meet them, of course, it's disappointing, but it's a very basic and perhaps boring thing to say, but I love tennis. So, even if I am not satisfied with my results, I love going to the practice court and hitting forehands, backhands, working on my shots, my physical condition. I believe I am living my dream, and certainly, it's a more pleasant feeling when everything goes well on the court. But as I said, I think this is mental, and I think I have managed to do better in this tournament. I will try to continue doing so because the tournament is not over yet," says a Rune who hopes to maintain his high level against Tallon Griekspoor to advance to the semifinals of Indian Wells 2025.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune, tras su gran victoria ante Tsitsipas: "Creo que me he convertido en un jugador más completo"