Tennis

Holger Rune, the former world No. 4, is making the most of his off-season with an ambitious vacation itinerary that has seen him split his time between Dubai and the Maldives.After a semifinal finish at the Rolex Paris Masters, the 21-year-old Rune has gone from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean to recharge after an up and down season. While some of his colleagues are still competing in Turin, Rune is enjoying his early start to his off-season.Rune has been sharing his adventures on social media, including jet-skiing in Dubai and snorkeling in the Maldives. He has also been working out and indulging in his crafty side with a pottery outing.Rune's off-season plans are a departure from the traditional "too-short off-season" truism. By taking an extended break, Rune is prioritizing his physical and mental well-being, which will be crucial for his success in the upcoming season.With six weeks until the tour begins its annual trek to Australia, it remains to be seen where Rune will head next. However, one thing is for sure: he is making the most of his time off and preparing for a strong 2025 season.

Germany's Alexander Zverev, the 2020 Paris Masters runner-up, has booked his place in the final of the 2024 edition after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark in the semi-finals. Zverev's 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory on Saturday marked his second ATP 1000-level final of the season, following his triumph in Rome in May.Zverev, ranked third in the world, relied on his powerful serve and the speed of the surface at Paris' Bercy Arena to dominate his service games. Rune, on the other hand, struggled with his first serve and lacked consistency with his groundstrokes, allowing Zverev to take an early lead.Despite leading 4-1 in the first set, Zverev faced some resistance from Rune, who broke back to level the score at 4-3. However, Zverev regained control and consolidated the break to claim the first set.The second set was a more closely contested affair, with both players holding serve until the seventh game. Zverev then broke Rune's serve with a powerful inside-out forehand, setting himself up to serve for the match.Rune, known for his resilience, broke back immediately, forcing Zverev to serve for the match again. The pressure mounted on both players, but Zverev ultimately prevailed in a gripping tiebreak, securing his spot in the final.In the day's other semi-final, home hope Ugo Humbert will face Russia's Karen Khachanov for a chance to reach his first championship match at a Masters event.

Holger Rune's impressive run at the Rolex Paris Masters continued as he defeated Alex de Minaur in a thrilling three-set quarterfinal match. The 2022 champion and No. 13 seed is now just one step away from reaching the final and keeping his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals alive.Rune's victory was hard-fought, as he had to rally from a set down to defeat the No. 9 seed. The Dane broke De Minaur's serve in the first set and held on to win 6-4. However, De Minaur fought back in the second set, breaking Rune's serve twice to level the match.The third set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve until the 11th game. Rune finally broke De Minaur's serve and then served out the match to win 7-5.Rune's victory was a major upset, as De Minaur had won their last two meetings. However, Rune has been in impressive form in Paris, and he is now one of the favorites to win the tournament.In the semifinals, Rune will face No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev. Zverev is a two-time champion in Paris, and he will be a tough opponent for Rune. However, Rune has already shown that he is capable of beating the best players in the world, and he will be confident of his chances of reaching the final.

Holger Rune, the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters champion, has reignited his form in the French capital, cruising past Alexander Bublik in straight sets (6-4, 6-2) in the first round.Rune, seeded 13th, has fond memories of Paris, having stunned the tennis world two years ago by defeating five Top 10 players, including Novak Djokovic, to claim the title. Despite injuries and inconsistency since then, the 21-year-old Dane is eager to replicate his success."I always enjoy playing in Paris," Rune said. "I have good memories, so I'm very blessed to be back."Rune's victory over Bublik was a testament to his growing maturity and focus. The match began evenly, but Rune seized control in the ninth game of the first set, breaking Bublik's serve after six deuces. He maintained his momentum in the second set, breaking Bublik twice to secure the victory in just 70 minutes.Rune's resurgence comes after a challenging season that saw him fall out of the Top 10 and part ways with coaches Boris Becker and Patrick Mouratoglou. However, he has reunited with former coach Lars Christensen and has shown signs of improvement in recent months."It's been a decent season," Rune said. "It's not been the best one, but I can finish it calling it a good one if I do well here in Paris."Rune's next opponent will be either lucky loser Arthur Cazaux or Basel finalist Ben Shelton. Rune has a 1-0 record against Shelton but lost to Cazaux earlier this year at the Australian Open.

Holger Rune and Casper Ruud: The Viking Warriors of TennisIn a captivating promotional ad that evokes the grandeur of Viking lore, Holger Rune and Casper Ruud have announced their upcoming Nordic Battle exhibition series. The two Scandinavian tennis stars will engage in a pair of off-season scrimmages, embodying the spirit of their ancestral warriors.The series kicks off on November 30 at the Varner Arena in Asker, Norway, and culminates in Copenhagen's Royal Arena on December 3. Rune and Ruud, both hailing from Nordic nations, have forged a friendly rivalry that has occasionally sparked controversy.Their rivalry reached a boiling point during their 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinal encounter, where Ruud emerged victorious in four sets. In the aftermath, Ruud expressed concerns about Rune's on-court demeanor, suggesting that the young Dane needed to mature.However, time has healed the wounds, and the pair have since developed a more cordial relationship. Rune even playfully teased Ruud's Olympic outfit, which featured a nod to Denmark, during the Paris Games earlier this year."Keep it up with the Scandinavian wins," Rune remarked, despite his own absence from the Olympics due to injury.The Nordic Battle exhibition series promises to showcase the exceptional skills and competitive spirit of Rune and Ruud. As they don the mantle of Viking warriors, they will undoubtedly captivate tennis enthusiasts with their thrilling duels.

Holger Rune, the sixth-seeded Dane, staged a remarkable comeback from a match point down to defeat Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the Japan Open quarterfinals on Sunday.Rune's victory was a testament to his resilience and fighting spirit. After Nishikori took the first set, Rune rallied to win the second and force a decider. In the third set, Nishikori held a match point at 5-4, but Rune refused to yield. He saved the match point and won four consecutive games to secure the victory."It was about getting that first serve, and if I could save that match point I knew that I could put on pressure," said Rune, who will face either defending champion Ben Shelton or France's Arthur Fils in the semifinals. "The momentum shifted a little bit. I lifted myself up, I was more positive."Nishikori, 34, has been plagued by injuries in recent years, but he has shown signs of a resurgence in Tokyo. He reached the US Open final a decade ago and was once ranked number four in the world."It was a great week for me -- great three matches with tough opponents," said Nishikori. "I would say this was the best week so far. I played very solid, I raised my level."Rune needed a medical time-out in the third set, but he refused to let it derail his momentum. "In one moment I thought it was not going to be," he said. "But I just kept my belief and trusted my fighting spirit, that was really all I could do and I managed to get through."France's Ugo Humbert also advanced to the semifinals after his British opponent Jack Draper retired early in the second set. Draper, who became the first British man to reach the US Open semifinals since Andy Murray in 2012, was looking to build on his success in Tokyo, but he was forced to withdraw due to an upper body injury.Humbert, who is ranked 19th in the world, will face the Czech Republic's Tomas Machac in the semifinals. Machac beat American qualifier Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 in the day's first quarterfinal.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune Drum Up Excitement at Tokyo Player PartyAhead of their Tokyo campaigns, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune showcased their cultural immersion and musical prowess at the tournament's player party. The duo joined forces on the "Taiko" drums, delivering an impressive performance that highlighted their friendship and on-court chemistry.Rune, known for his infectious smile, exuded energy and rhythm, while Tsitsipas, fresh from Berlin, displayed laser-like focus in his contrasting white Ralph Lauren attire. Both players are eager to build momentum as the 2024 season nears its conclusion.Their appearances at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships serve as a prelude to the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Subsequently, both plan to maximize the European indoor swing, with Tsitsipas committed to Antwerp and Rune to Stockholm.After a promising semifinal showing in Cincinnati, Rune faced setbacks in the US Open and Hangzhou. However, he remains determined to turn things around in Tokyo, where he faces Alejandro Tabilo of Chile in the opening round.Tsitsipas, on the other hand, avenged his Laver Cup defeat to Thanasi Kokkinakis but is seeking to string together consecutive wins for the first time since the Paris Olympics. Seeded fourth, he will face Alex Michelsen in his ATP 500 opener.Both players are eager to make a statement in Tokyo and set the stage for a strong finish to the season. Their performances will be closely watched as they aim to drum up momentum and secure valuable ranking points.

Frances Tiafoe's remarkable resilience was on full display as he overcame a daunting deficit to defeat Holger Rune in the Cincinnati semifinals on Sunday night. The American's triumph marks a significant milestone in his career, propelling him into his first Masters 1000 final.After a disappointing first set loss, Tiafoe exhibited unwavering determination in the second set, dominating Rune with a commanding 6-1 victory. However, the third set proved to be a grueling test of both physical and mental fortitude. Rune surged ahead, threatening to extinguish Tiafoe's hopes with a 5-2 lead.Undeterred, Tiafoe summoned his inner strength and fought off two match points in his 4-5 service game. With unwavering focus, he clawed his way back into contention, forcing a tiebreaker. In the decisive tiebreaker, Tiafoe's resilience shone through as he secured a 7-6 (4) victory, sending shockwaves through the crowd.Tiafoe's victory is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his ability to overcome adversity. It marks a significant step forward in his career, as he prepares to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Cincinnati final. The American will be aiming to capture his first Masters 1000 title and cement his status as one of the rising stars in the sport.

Holger Rune, the former world No. 4, has been struggling to regain his form in 2024. However, he has shown signs of improvement at the Cincinnati Open, reaching the quarterfinals after a hard-fought victory over Gaël Monfils.Rune admitted that he needed to raise his level to compete at the highest level again. He has been working on his game and is starting to see the results. Against Monfils, he played aggressively, taking the net away from his opponent and serving out the match in impressive fashion.Rune's victory over Monfils is a significant confidence boost for the young Dane. He has been through a lot of changes in his team over the past year, but he is now settled with Kenneth Carlsen as his new head coach. Rune believes that Carlsen, a former world No. 41, can help him reach his full potential.Rune is also embracing adaptability, which he believes is key to success in tennis. He is willing to adjust his game to different conditions and opponents. This adaptability was evident in his match against Monfils, where he changed his tactics after losing the first set.Rune is now looking ahead to the US Open, where he will be hoping to make a deep run. He knows that he will need to continue to play at a high level, but he is confident that he can do it.