Holger Rune, the 22-year-old Danish tennis star, embodied Novak Djokovic’s unshakable confidence during the 2025 US Open, declaring in an exclusive *EssentiallySports* interview, “I have this great belief in myself that I can beat anyone on any day on any surface.” This mindset, reminiscent of Djokovic’s calm under pressure, propelled Rune to the fourth round, where he faced top seed Jannik Sinner on September 1, 2025, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 loss, Rune’s bold mentality and competitive spirit shone through, drawing parallels to Djokovic’s relentless self-belief, which has fueled his 24 Grand Slam titles.
Rune’s confidence stems from his history against Djokovic, whom he’s beaten twice in six encounters, including the 2022 Paris Masters final and the 2023 Italian Open semifinals. These victories, as noted in *ESPN* and *ATP Tour* reports, showcase Rune’s ability to challenge tennis’s elite with his rapid court coverage, powerful groundstrokes, and mental resilience. In the *EssentiallySports* interview, Rune reflected on facing Djokovic, describing the “birds in my stomach” before matches but finding calm once on court, a trait he attributes to learning from Djokovic’s composure. He said, “You have to fight… that’s the only chance to win,” echoing Djokovic’s approach of embracing pressure as fuel. Rune’s 2-4 head-to-head against Djokovic, including a straight-sets loss at Wimbledon 2024, underscores the lessons he’s absorbed from these battles.
At the US Open, Rune’s journey included a gritty win over Botic van de Zandschulp, where he turned a rival’s provocative fist pump into motivation, telling *US Open Radio*, “I just turned it into fuel.” This resilience mirrors Djokovic’s ability to thrive in hostile environments, as seen when he faced crowd chants during their Wimbledon clash. Rune’s belief in beating “anybody” also drew inspiration from Djokovic’s tactical masterclass against Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Olympic final, which Rune emulated to defeat Alcaraz in the 2025 Barcelona Open final, as reported by *Tennis Majors*. By focusing on depth and consistency, Rune secured a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory, showcasing his adaptability.
Despite his US Open exit, Rune’s performance—reaching the fourth round and climbing to World No. 13—signals his potential to break through against the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz, whom he sees as dominant alongside Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. His frustration was evident post-match, admitting, “It’s very hard to win a Grand Slam right now,” but his focus on consistency, as told to *ATP Tour*, suggests a bright future. Rune’s Djokovic-inspired mindset—calm, confident, and combative—positions him as a rising force, ready to challenge tennis’s giants at the 2026 Australian Open and beyond.
