Rune seeks a change: "I want to find that extra percentage, I try to be more aggressive"

Carlos Navarro | 13 Sep 2025 | 15.23

Holger Rune, in the post-match press conference. Source: Puntodebreak/Carlos Navarro

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The match started slowly, not feeling the ball quite right at first... but once it hit cruise speed, it was unstoppable. Holger Rune delivered one of the most solid performances of the year to give Denmark the first point in the round of 16 of the 2025 Davis Cup, a victory that sets the tone for his country and also provides him with a personal boost.

After turbulent months, it seems the Danish player aims to make some changes in his tennis. The goal? To find that "extra percentage", as he calls it, to take the leap to the next level. Following his win against Pablo Carreño, his visit to the press conference gave us the chance to ask him, almost exclusively, about the performance shown, the possibility of changing his racket, and the importance of today's victory.

- In the previous round against Serbia, you lost your first match: was it important for you to "redeem" that defeat, even if you didn't think about it?

"No, honestly, I didn’t think about it. The tie, the place, and the atmosphere are different. The setting is distinct. As I've said all week, our goal was to have a good start, and that's what we've achieved so far. It’s going to be tough, but we are ready to win, we've trained very well all week. Getting a 2-0 lead today would be the dream scenario, but if not, we are still prepared to fight."

- Is what we saw from Holger Rune today the version you would like to show by the end of the year and especially looking ahead to 2026?

"Without a doubt. I spoke with my coach after the match: the way I played tennis today for most of the time is what we want to see from now until the end of the season. I'm trying to be more aggressive, to trust the process within my game. I think I did really well today; I kept reminding myself not to focus on the score but on all the improvements I want to make in my tennis. At the same time, I told myself I had to fight until the end, not only for myself but for my country.

It's a bit challenging, but you try to be a little 'selfish': you focus on your own level and your own improvements as a player... and at the same time, you are aware of the pressure you have in your position, knowing that you help the team and Denmark a lot if you win, so I tried to give my best."

- Regarding your comfort on the clay courts at Puente Romano: are you happy with the choice of surface?

"Yes, I'm happy that it's clay. In fact, I think it could even be beneficial for us because Elmer (Moller) has won two Challengers on clay, I've also had good results... obviously, if you ask me, I'll always prefer to play at home, in Denmark, if you ask anyone, they would want to play at home, but I feel privileged because there were many Danish people; at times, it almost felt like playing at home, the club's surroundings and environment are beautiful, so we are fortunate to play here."

- Are you ready to play doubles if the captain requests it?

"We'll see. Right now, I'm not in that match, but things could change perfectly for tomorrow."

- During training, you tried a different racket with a frame of different dimensions; today you played with the usual Pure Aero. Can you tell us something about this?

"I'm trying to improve my racket (smiles). We're trying to figure out where I can get that extra percentage, whether in my tools, my mentality, whatever it may be. That's the idea. But yes, things were a bit different today (laughs), so...".

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune busca un cambio: "Quiero encontrar ese porcentaje extra, trato de ser más agresivo"

Holger Rune