“Holger Rune taken over the role of Nick Kyrgios in this generation” – Todd Woodbridge

The Australian Hall of Fame says he sees no weaknesses in Rune’s game

Holger Rune at the 2023 Madrid Masters Image Credit: AI/Reuters/Panoramic

May 4, 2023

Tennis Hall of Famer To d d Woodbridge has said that Holger Rune is the game’s new antagonist, describing the Danish teen as the Nick Kyrgios of this generation with the competitive spirit of Lleyton Hewitt.

Rune has become one of the most exciting young players in the men’s game and has propelled himself into the top 10 of the world rankings after a string of good results including winning his first ATP Masters Series title in Paris, reaching the Monte-Carlo finals last month, the quarter-finals of the French Open last year, and winning 4 ATP titles since last April.

Woodbridge believes that Rune has done enough to warrant himself into the conversation of the best young players, which had been earlier dominated by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. But he also believes that Rune brings a different type of energy to his matches and labelled him the game’s new antagonist.

“Holger Rune should be added to this list. It’s like he’s saying: ‘hold on just a minute, I am in this equation, and you need to start talking about me’,” Woodbridge told the Australian Open website. “I see him as the game’s new antagonist; I think he’s bringing really big energy to matches that are providing another story within tournaments. He’s an in-your-face player who is working his tail off. In essence, he’s taken over the role of Nick Kyrgios in this generation but he has this competitiveness and win-at-all-costs attitude, which is what Lleyton Hewitt had so much of.”

Umpire Bernardes to Holger Rune:

“I told you once in Monte Carlo, but that was fine. There are crowds that you cannot control if you do things like that… they will be worse if you keep doing it. If you just play tennis, they don’t do anything else”

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— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 30, 2023

Currently I don’t see weaknesses; I only see opportunities to continue to make that better – Woodbridge

Woodbridge further added that he has been mighty impressed with what he has seen so far of the Dane’s physical development and work ethic.

“I’ve been incredibly impressed watching his physical development; the building of the legs and the body to be robust, to be able to absorb everything,” Woodbridge, one half of the legendary ‘Woodies’ duo said.

“Talent requires ticking many boxes. One of the key ones for me is, yes, he’s a street-fighter with a will to win, but he has this work ethic which is making a huge difference and will be part of the reason he’s going to continue being successful. Currently I don’t see weaknesses; I only see opportunities to continue to make that better. What I love about him is that he’s not scared to win; he’s right in there and wants those victories. I’ve watched a lot of his practice clips and how he’s working on the power and movement. It’s really solid.”