Holger Rune not happy with 'brutal' comment from reporter after Novak Djokovic loss
Holger Rune was left unimpressed as he was quizzed about his slow start following his Wimbledon defeat to Novak Djokovic
Holger Rune hit back at a journalist’s “brutal” question following his straight-sets loss to Novak Djokovic. A last-16 tie with Rune had been expected to be Djokovic’s biggest test since having surgery on a torn meniscus last month, but the 24-time Grand Slam winner eased into the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory.
The Dane got off to a slow start and struggled to recover as Djokovic set up a Wimbledon quarter-final with Australian Alex de Minaur. Following the match, Rune was quizzed on how he let his opponent get off to a flyer.
One reporter pointed out: “It looks like the worst thing you can do against Djokovic on Centre Court, especially considering the doubt around Novak, about his knee, to start 13 points, zero for him, giving him the first set for kind of free.”
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An unimpressed Rune replied: “I think it's a bit brutal to say I give it for free. At the end it was 6-3 with one break only. He's been winning sets much easier than he did against me.
“Yeah, not an ideal start, but that happens sometimes. You don't have to make it a big deal. You just have to find your rhythm. I think I did after 3-0. I started to serve a little bit better.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not – how can I say it – it’s not the end of the world the first set I played. It was 6-3. I also lost the first set 6-3 in Paris, Bercy, when I won the final there.
“I wasn't playing good enough today. That was the reason. Not the first set was the reason. Of course, there are nerves. He also had nerves. I guess he just handled it better than me. That's why he has 24 Grand Slam titles.”
Rather than Rune being able to knock Djokovic off stride, it was fans inside Centre Court who frustrated the 37-year-old after he took exception to the surname of his opponent repeatedly being chanted.
During a heated on-court interview, Djokovic said: “Well, to all the fans that had respect and stayed here tonight thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate it.
“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player, in this case me, have a gooooood night. Gooood night, gooood night. Very good night.”
It was put to Djokovic that they were merely chanting Rune and not booing him, but the second seed countered back, insisting: “They were [disrespecting], they were, they were. I don’t accept it.
“I know they were cheering for Rune, but that’s an excuse to also boo. Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. Trust me, I know all the tricks. I know how it works, it is fine. It is fine, it’s OK.
“I focus on the respectful people, they have respect, that pay a ticket to come and watch tonight and love tennis. Love tennis and appreciate the players, appreciate the efforts that the players put in here. I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me. You guys can’t touch me.”
Rune gave his take on the incident after the match, saying: "Yeah, I mean, if you don't know what was happening, probably it sounded like 'boo'. But if we all know what happened, it was my name. Obviously he's played so many matches since he played me last time. If he didn't remember, it could probably sound different for him. I don't think it played a massive part in the match.
"He was just better than me today. Whether the crowd was this or that, I think was great support for both players, to be honest. They were supporting him on good points. They were supporting me. Nice scenes out there on Centre Court."
