As the 2025 French Open unfolds at Roland Garros, Holger Rune, the 22-year-old Danish star and No. 11 seed, has revealed the most impactful advice he received from Novak Djokovic, the three-time champion and current No. 6 seed. Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference on May 23, 2025, Rune detailed a pivotal piece of guidance from Djokovic that has shaped his approach on the court, particularly as he prepares to face France’s Hugo Gaston in the first round.
Djokovic’s Key Advice
Rune, who has known Djokovic since his early teens, recalled a practice session from their time together at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals, where Rune served as a 16-year-old hitting partner. During a crosscourt forehand drill, Djokovic advised him to prioritize consistency over raw power. “One specific thing he told me was to play shots at 70-80% speed to ensure solidity and precision,” Rune shared, as reported by Tennis.com. “It’s about staying composed and not always going full power, which has been huge for my game.” This advice, emphasizing control and mental clarity, resonated deeply with Rune, who credits Djokovic’s mentorship for his growth.
A Mentor’s Generosity
The Dane highlighted Djokovic’s generosity, noting, “Novak has been really kind to me all my career. He’s always been available for practice or advice, which is a privilege from one of the best ever.” Rune’s admiration was echoed in a 2023 X post by @DjokovicFan_, quoting him saying, “Novak is the most selfless guy out of the Big 3… he gave me many advices on how to remain calm and perform well in difficult moments.” This guidance proved instrumental in Rune’s 2025 Barcelona Open victory over Carlos Alcaraz (7-6(6), 6-2), where he consciously emulated Djokovic’s composed style from the 2024 Olympic final against Alcaraz, focusing on making opponents play more balls.
Competitive Yet Respectful Rivalry
Rune’s relationship with Djokovic, forged through training sessions in Monaco and at tournaments, has been both professional and personal. Their six career meetings, with Djokovic leading 4-2, include Rune’s standout win at the 2022 Paris Masters (3-6, 6-3, 7-5), where he claimed his first Masters 1000 title. Despite their competitive history, Rune remains inspired by Djokovic’s work ethic, with the Serb praising Rune’s dedication: “He’s a very dedicated guy. Once he sees something is off, he’s going to work on it,” Djokovic said at Wimbledon 2024.
French Open 2025 Outlook
At Roland Garros 2025, Rune aims to leverage this advice to navigate a challenging draw, with potential clashes against Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round and Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals. His clay season, marked by a Barcelona title but marred by a knee injury and illness, has been turbulent, yet Djokovic’s counsel on composure keeps him grounded. Meanwhile, Djokovic, fresh off his 100th career title at the Geneva Open, faces Mackenzie McDonald, chasing a 25th Grand Slam. Their mutual respect, underscored by Rune’s revelation, adds depth to the French Open’s narrative, connecting to stories like Emma Raducanu’s injury struggles and Luke Littler’s off-field buzz.
