The 20-year-old world No 6 on his breakthrough season, his bad boy reputation and coping with hostile crowds
During the quarter-finals of the Italian Open last week in Rome, Holger Rune was deep in battle with Novak Djokovic on one of the most meaningful courts of the then-No 1’s career. It is a measure of his talent that not only was he winning the encounter, but it was not a surprise.
As Djokovic forced himself back into the match, however, Rune’s growing tension was palpable. It eventually exploded. When the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, came down from his chair to rule one of Djokovic’s shots had touched the line, Rune was incensed. He called Lahyani an “absolute joke” and demanded to know whether umpires are penalised for their mistakes. As his team tried to calm him down, Rune slumped in his chair and sighed. “It’s always the umpire who makes me look like the bad guy,” he said.