WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune try their hand at traditional 'Taiko' drums in Tokyo, perform synchronized tune ahead of Japan Open 2024
Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas tried their hand at traditional Japanese 'Taiko' drums during an event ahead of the 2024 Japan Open. The pair enjoyed performing a synchronized tune for the audience.
The ATP Tour's official X account shared a video of Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas playing traditional Japanese drums. An experienced Taiko drummer led the way as the ATP stars performed a synchronized rhythm for the audience.
Rune smiled throughout, clearly enjoying the moment, while Tsitsipas took a more serious approach, not breaking a smile until the end of the performance. Watch the video below:
The event was organized by The Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships. First held in 1972, it is the longest-running ATP Tour tournament in Asia. The ATP 500 event recently concluded its qualifier stage with the main draw beginning on Wednesday, September 25.
Japan Open 2024 1R: Holger Rune faces Alejandro Tabilo; Stefanos Tsitsipas to take on Alex Michelsen
Sixth-seed Holger Rune is set to face Alejandro Tabilo in the first round of the 2024 Japan Open. The Danish player has recently struggled with form, having been knocked out in the first round of his last two tournaments.
Rune was defeated by Brandon Nakashima at the US Open and, as the top seed, lost to Yasutaka Uchiyama at the Hangzhou Open.
Tabilo, meanwhile, has also suffered first-round exits in his last two events, at the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. Most recently, he represented Team World at the Laver Cup, where they lost 13-11.
This will be the first meeting between Rune and Tabilo on Tour, with both players eager to avoid another early exit.
Fourth-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to face Alex Michelsen in the first round of the Tokyo event. This match will mark the first-ever encounter between Tsitsipas and Michelsen on the ATP Tour.
The Greek star is looking to bounce back after his surprising first-round exit at the US Open, where he was defeated by Thanasi Kokkinakis. That loss came just weeks after Tsitsipas announced he a split with his father as his coach.
However, Tsitsipas recently avenged his defeat to Kokkinakis, overcoming him at the Laver Cup. The 26-year-old earned a crucial point for Team Europe, who went on to secure their fifth victory at the Roger Federer-backed event.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Michelsen was the top seed in the qualifying in Tokyo. He defeated Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-3, 6-4, and Borna Coric 6-3, 6-3, to qualify for the main draw.