Holger Rune Recalls Warming Up With Roger Federer at Roland Garros

Returning to competition in a Davis Cup tie between Denmark and Bulgaria following an 11-month absence due to a severe Achilles tendon injury that required surgery, the Danish player reflected on the complex dynamics behind the scenes on the professional tour in an interview with the ATP Tour.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Gestures in the Locker Room

Recalling his introduction to the upper echelon of men’s tennis, Rune highlighted specific encounters with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal that left a lasting impression. According to the Danish player, Djokovic offered encouraging words when they first crossed paths in the seeded locker room at Wimbledon, telling him, “Felicidades, te mereces estar aquí” (Congratulations, you deserve to be here).

Years later, a similar interaction occurred with Nadal. Following a practice session at the Brisbane International in January 2024, Rune recalled that Nadal was exceptionally welcoming in the locker room, asking about his preseason training regimen and well-being. “Aunque ya llevaba algunos años en el circuito, fue un momento increíble. Es algo que nunca olvidaré” (Although I had already been on the tour for a few years, it was an incredible moment. It’s something I will never forget), Rune stated.

Sharing Court Space With Roger Federer at Roland Garros

While Rune did not share a direct conversation with Roger Federer during his earliest tour days, he recalled a striking training proximity with the Swiss star at Roland Garros. As a junior competitor in Paris, Rune found himself warming up just five yards away from Federer, who was preparing for a quarterfinal match against Stan Wawrinka.

“Estaba a punto de jugar su partido de cuartos de final contra Wawrinka, y pensé: ‘Guau, esto es una locura. Literalmente estamos calentando a cinco metros de distancia y haciendo las mismas rutinas'” (He was about to play his quarterfinal match against Wawrinka, and I thought: ‘Wow, this is crazy. We’re literally warming up five meters apart and doing the exact same routines’), Rune recounted.

Reflecting on the collective impact of the three champions, Rune noted that sharing a locker room with players he had watched throughout his childhood was surreal, though the nature of those relationships shifts as a player ascends the rankings.

Tour Dynamics and the Transition to Rivals

As Rune established himself among the tour’s top competitors—reaching a career-high ranking of world number four—he observed that receiving casual mentorship from established rivals becomes increasingly difficult. Competing against the same athletes week after week creates a distinct psychological environment behind closed doors.

“Obviamente, cada vez es más difícil tener este tipo de momentos a medida que subes en la clasificación, porque entonces te conviertes en uno de sus verdaderos competidores” (Obviously, it gets harder and harder to have these kinds of moments as you climb the rankings, because then you become one of their true competitors), Rune explained.

The transition from friendly acquaintance to fierce opponent requires strict mental composure. Rune pointed out that players often maintain a poker face in the locker room to conceal physical discomfort or vulnerabilities, knowing that any perceived weakness can be noted by opponents.

“Fuera de la pista, uno quiere ser amigable, pero al mismo tiempo, cuando entras a ella, tienes que ser un guerrero, sin importarte el oponente, solo tratando de vencerlo” (Off the court, you want to be friendly, but at the same time, when you step onto it, you have to be a warrior, not caring about the opponent, just trying to beat them), Rune said, describing the strange dynamic of cycling between being good colleagues and direct rivals.

Rune’s return in the Davis Cup series marks his first official competitive action since undergoing surgery for his Achilles injury nearly a year ago. He aims to resume his spot on the international circuit following a rigorous rehabilitation process.