Holger Rune hopes to reap rewards of short training block with Agassi

TORONTO – World No. 9 Holger Rune said that his brief collaboration with Andre Agassi had given him a unique insight into how the eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion viewed the game, and hopes to use the advice he received to take his game to the next level.

The Dane announced himself as one of the sport’s most promising young talents three years ago by winning his first Masters title in Paris after beating five top-10 players, including Novak Djokovic in the final.

However, the 22-year-old has had limited success since, winning just two more titles and failing to advance beyond the quarter-finals at the Grand Slams.

With fellow young guns Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner now dominating the game’s biggest events, Rune turned to American great Agassi earlier in July in Washington for a three-day training block.

“It was insane. I’ve never met a guy who sees tennis that way and I found it interesting,” he told the Tennis Channel at the Canadian Open in Toronto.

“He makes things simple on the court. Sometimes tennis can be a difficult sport and sometimes it can be a very easy sport. There’s always a reason why it’s this or that.

“Some of the advice he gave me was very helpful. To share those three days, for him to get a look at my game, it was just amazing. My coach Lars (Christensen) appreciated it too, they talked a little bit and we’re still in touch.”

Rune also said that Agassi’s tactics had struck a chord with him even though the Dane never watched him play growing up.

“I’ve watched so many YouTube clips with him on how he was taking the ball early,” he added.

“It was so clear to see how he was making life easy for himself on the court... it was a bit before my time so I didn’t grow up watching Andre. But to look back at how tennis was then was really interesting to see.”

With so many compliments for one of tennis’ greatest Agassi, the question inevitably came down to whether he would one day become a permanent coach for Rune.

“I was really excited to see his view on my game, and see how he saw it, and see how he can help a little bit and make things better,” Rune said.

“Yeah, we did those three days. Obviously three days is not going to massively change something, but it was nice, it was really nice to see his view on my game. We talked a lot, we had some good sessions...

“But he’s not going to be with me at the tournaments, so he’s not like the coach for me, but definitely we keep in touch. Yeah, he’s a very, very nice guy, and I really respect how he sees tennis, it’s very incredible. Also, obviously, his career was insane.”

Rune beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Toronto and next plays Alexandre Muller as he builds up for the Aug 24-Sept 7 US Open. REUTERS