“I think he’s possibly the best in the world”: Holger Rune names ‘toughest’ player to face on clay
“Possibly the Best in the World” – Holger Rune Picks Toughest Clay Court Opponent
As the clay court season heats up with the Monte-Carlo Masters, Denmark’s Holger Rune has made a bold claim: Carlos Alcaraz is the toughest player to face on clay.
Speaking ahead of his first-round match—where he unfortunately had to retire due to a fitness issue against Portugal’s Nuno Borges—Rune didn’t hesitate when asked who gives him the most trouble on the red dirt.
“I think the toughest one [on clay] might be Alcaraz,” Rune told Tennis365. “Let’s see how his form is at the start of the clay season, but when he’s at his best, I think he’s possibly the best in the world.”
Rune also acknowledged that while Alcaraz hasn’t had as much Monte Carlo experience due to injuries in previous years, he expects that to change. “He’ll catch up soon,” Rune added with confidence.
Alcaraz Battles Back for Win
As for Alcaraz, he’s already off to a solid start this clay season. The world No. 3 survived a shaky opening set against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo but bounced back in dominant fashion, winning 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.
The Spaniard was honest about his slow start:
“I didn’t start well. I made a lot of mistakes and let him control the points,” Alcaraz said. “I knew I had to change things—be more aggressive, use drop shots, come to the net, and push him back with better returns.”
Looks like that mid-match adjustment worked perfectly.
What’s Next for Rune and Alcaraz?
While Rune’s Monte Carlo campaign ended early, fans will be watching closely to see how he recovers in time for the next events on the clay swing. Alcaraz, on the other hand, is gunning for a deep run—and if Rune’s words are anything to go by, we might just be witnessing the rise of clay’s next dominant force.
👉 Do you agree with Rune? Is Alcaraz already the king of clay in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
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