Holger Rune's mother Aneke confident of him winning his maiden Grand Slam title this year
Holger Rune's consistency and current form have forced his mother Aneke to believe that her son could lift his maiden Grand Slam title this year.
The 20-year-old won his first big crown at the 2022 Paris Masters when he fought from a set down to defeat Novak Djokovic in the final. On May 17, the seventh-ranked Danish improved his head-to-head record against the Serb to 2-1 as he beat the latter 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Italian Open.
The rise of Rune, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner over the last year and a half has made the tennis world believe that they will form the new Big 3 in the future.
Tennis TV recently asked its followers on social media if they thought Holger Rune could clinch his first Major in 2023. Rune's mother Aneke, who always travels with him to lend her support, answered the question with a resounding "Yes."
A few days after Rafael Nadal won his 13th French Open title in 2020, Holger Rune remarked that he could win more Majors in Paris than the now 14-time champion.
"Rafael Nadal is really inspiring and so bold a character," he said. "I work every day to be able to be as good as him. I'm not at his level yet. There's still some way to go, but I believe I can beat his record."
The Dane won the French Open juniors singles title in 2019 when he downed America's Toby Alex Kodat in the summit clash.
Holger Rune hopes to win his maiden Grand Slam title in 2023
Holger Rune has won 26 out of his 35 matches so far this season, including a title defense at the 2023 BMW Open in Munich. After Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the 2023 French Open, Rune, along with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, is being touted as one of the favorites to win.
After beating Novak Djokovic in Rome earlier this week, the 20-year-old Dane once again expressed his wish to win his maiden Grand Slam title either at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, or the US Open this year.
"I want to win a Grand Slam this year. That's what I've said in the past, and I stick to that," Holger Rune said. "Obviously, I hope it can be achieved at the French Open. If not, I hope to make it in the other two Grand Slams."
Rune will face Casper Ruud in the semi-finals of the 2023 Italian Open on Saturday, May 20. The fourth-seed Ruud leads 4-0 head-to-head against the seventh-seed player.