Rune on his Court 5 placement at the US Open: “Of course I tried to get an explanation”

“US Open site map, in case you can find Court 5, this is where I play my first match on Monday,” tweeted Holger Rune last Saturday, clearly making a jab at the tournament organisers for not placing him on a more prestigious court.

Just crowned world No 4, the best ranking of his career and a new status for Rune, the Dane certainly expected to have the honors of a large court rather than an annex court to challenge Roberto Carballes Baena Monday in New York. 

Rune explains Tweet controversy after early loss

Beaten by the Spaniard as soon as he entered the competition, Holger Rune was invited by journalists to explain his reasoning behind the tweet concerning his placement on Court 5.

The world No 4 deflated the controversy while giving his version of the facts. Rune was surprised to be scheduled on this court, but no longer had that in mind when playing on Monday.

“It’s not difficult, but it’s different. We are closer to people. The atmosphere is pleasant. There is no problem with the court.

“I just didn’t expect to play here. I feel like it’s normal. I mean, as you go up the rankings, it’s more, you know, as you say, of the advantages that you should get from playing under better conditions. I think it’s normal and it’s also the way the ATP does with all players. But they didn’t do it with me here,” explained Rune.

“I’ve probably played more side court matches than full court in my life, so it’s all good.”

Holger Rune

The Dane continued, unpacking his reasoning behind making the Tweet on Saturday:

“No, I made this tweet for fun. Of course, I was not very happy when I saw the program, but I saw it on Friday and I had time to recover from it.

“It’s not like I can’t play tennis if I don’t play on Centre Court. I’ve probably played more side court matches than full court in my life, so it’s all good. Yes, I didn’t play well, I think. Yes, it was difficult weeks before the US Open.”

Court allocation disputed by Rune, unhappy with explanation

Rune did confess that initially he disputed the court allocation, and attempted to extract an explanation from the US Open organisers.

“Of course I tried to get an explanation and obviously they said what we all know, that they are putting the Americans on the big court, which is completely normal. I mean I used to play in France where they do that.

“So I respect that 100%. It’s not just the case here, that there are only Americans playing on the big courts. This card didn’t really work. Then you try to ask more questions and they don’t answer you. It’s a little difficult.”

Regardless of the reasoning behind Rune’s court allocation, it won’t be of concern to the world No 4 anymore, as for the next fortnight the only spot he’ll be occupying at Flushing Meadows will be the sidelines.

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