The emergence of Holger Rune on the circuit has given Novak Djokovic a little food to grind over the last two seasons, and perhaps a little worry this coming one, so what only Carlos Alcaraz, in the absence of Rafael Nadal, until then, seemed truly able to compete with the world number 1.
What are the details of the face-to-face between Djokovic and Rune?
Djokovic and Rune played each other four times on the main circuit, and the young Dane always found a way to give the Serbian legend a hard time, taking at least a set from him each time and even beating him twice . The score is therefore currently 2-2 in their face-to-face, before a highly anticipated reunion in the group stage of the Masters 2023. Djokovic won the first meeting at the US Open 2021, where Rune, then aged 18, had shown his striking quality to the whole world and managed to equalize with one set everywhere, before completely breaking down physically. Two years later, in the final of the Rolex Paris Masters, Rune managed to defeat his elder in a magnificent final, thus winning his first Masters 1,000, before repeating his feat a few months later, in Rome, in 2023. Djokovic managed to rebalance the debates recently again at the Rolex Paris Masters, this time in the quarter-final, but not without difficulty.
Here is the detailed list of meetings between the two men:
US Open 2021 (dur), 1er tour : Djokovic 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-1
Rolex Paris Masters 2022 (indoor), finale : 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
Rome 2023 (clay), quarter-final : Rune 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Rolex Paris Masters 2023 (indoor), quart de finale : Djokovic 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4
What was their best match so far?
In terms of the scenario and the stakes, undoubtedly the final of the Rolex Paris Masters 2022, their only confrontation in the final, and not just any confrontation. The Serb had the upper hand for a large part of the match, offering himself three break points at the start of the second set after dominating the first, and also counting a break in advance in the third set. But Rune showed incredible audacity and talent to reverse the trend and finally conclude at the end of a last breathless game lasting more than a quarter of an hour and peppered with superb points. Their revenge duel, a year later at Bercy, or their confrontation in the meantime in Rome were also of high quality, without perhaps reaching the same heights.
How many titles do Djokovic and Rune have?
Djokovic recently won the 97th title of his career at Bercy, which begins to seriously bring him closer to the two most successful men of the Open era, Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (102). The Serb also made no secret of having (also) this record now in his sights. He won his first tournament on the main circuit at Amersfoot, in 2006. Rune is obviously still quite far from this account. But at 20 years old, he still has four trophies, all won in one year between Munich 2022 and Munich 2023. In the meantime, he triumphed in Stockholm and at the Rolex Paris Masters at the end of 2022.
Who has the best stats?
It’s obviously Djokovic, who in many areas has some of the most impressive stats in the history of the game. Before the 2023 Masters, the Serbian had played 1,293 matches in his career on the main circuit, for a rate of success of 83,7% (1,082 victories, 211 defeats). Rune played “only” 153 matches for 60,8% of success (93 victories, 60 defeats).
By surface, here are the details of the matches played by Djokovic:
On clay, he has 270 victories for 66 defeats, i.e. 80,4% of success. On grass, he has 115 victories for 19 defeats, i.e. 85,8% of success. On hard court, he has 688 victories for 122 defeats, i.e. 84,9% of success. Indoors, he has 192 victories for 48 defeats, i.e. 80% of success.
By surface, here are the details of the matches played by Rune:
On clay, he has 34 victories for 22 defeats, i.e. 60,7% of success. On grass, he has 7 victories for 5 defeats, i.e. 58,3% of success. On hard court, he has 52 victories for 33 defeats, i.e. 61,2% of success. Indoors, he has 38 victories for 14 defeats, i.e. 73,1% of success.
Are Djokovic and Rune friends?
They like each other a lot, yes, and show a lot of respect for each other. From their first meeting at the US Open 2021, Djokovic was impressed by the “kid’s” striking quality and combativeness. Some even say that he would have voluntarily left him a game at the end of the fourth set so as not to finish it with an undeserved 6-0, while Dane, prey to cramps, could no longer really defend his chances. Then, before their reunion in the Bercy final at the end of 2022, the Serb confided that Rune reminded him a little of the memory of himself, through the style of play and through the attitude. “Holger is someone I really like, him, his family and his team,” he also underlined. “I have followed his rise over the last two to three years. He has progressed enormously, he has become very strong physically. He has a great work ethic and deserves his current success.” Rune, for his part, has always shown a lot of deference towards the legendary Serbian champion. “You are incredible”, he whispered to him during the handshake which followed his defeat at the Rolex Paris Masters 2023. “He is an incredible player, whatever his position on the court, he never misses never anything while putting great quality on the ball in each of his shots. So it’s extremely complicated but at the same time, I love facing it, they’re always magnificent battles,” he enthused afterwards at a press conference. In summary: can’t wait for their next duel(s)! You might also like
2023-11-09 21:40:07
#Headtohead #stats #DjokovicRune #rivalry
