In a stunning turn of events at the Barcelona Open, Holger Rune triumphed over world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling semifinal match, and the Danish rising star is giving credit where it’s due — to Novak Djokovic. Speaking candidly after his victory, Rune revealed that he had recently trained with Djokovic and learned three invaluable secrets that helped him turn the tide against one of the most dangerous players on the tour.
Rune, who has long admired Djokovic’s tactical genius and mental fortitude, said the Serb’s influence gave him a crucial edge over Alcaraz. “Training with Novak is like going to tennis school,” Rune said with a grin. “There’s just so much to absorb, and in this match, three things he taught me really made a difference.”
Here are the three game-changing secrets that Rune credited for his impressive win:
1. Mastering the Art of Controlled Aggression
One of the most defining traits of Djokovic’s game is his ability to switch seamlessly between defense and offense. Rune admitted that he used to play either too defensively or too aggressively against top players, often leading to unforced errors. But a recent practice session with Djokovic helped him understand the value of balance.
“Novak told me that aggression doesn’t mean hitting every ball at 110%,” Rune explained. “It means knowing when to attack and when to absorb pressure. Against Carlos, I stayed patient, picked the right moments, and didn’t panic even when he hit big.”
This new mindset allowed Rune to neutralize Alcaraz’s trademark explosive forehand and dictate rallies on his terms — a key factor in his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory.
2. The Power of Return Positioning
Another secret Rune revealed was a subtle but powerful adjustment in return positioning, something Djokovic is widely considered the master of. Djokovic’s ability to read servers and adjust his court position accordingly has frustrated even the best in the world.
“Novak showed me how to read the body language of the server and how to position myself more strategically,” Rune shared. “I moved slightly further back on key second serves and stepped in aggressively on weak first serves. That really threw Carlos off rhythm.”
Rune’s improved returns allowed him to break Alcaraz three times during the match — a rare feat considering Alcaraz’s usually dominant service games.
3. Staying Ice-Cold Under Pressure
Perhaps the most Djokovic-esque quality Rune adopted was the mental composure under pressure. Known for his calmness in high-stakes moments, Djokovic often preaches the importance of breathing techniques, visualization, and emotional control. Rune said this mental preparation helped him stay focused during the tense third set.
“There was a point in the final set where I could feel the momentum shifting,” Rune recalled. “But I remembered Novak saying, ‘Don’t think about the scoreboard — think about the next point.’ That helped me reset and keep my nerves in check.”
Rune held his nerve to save two break points at 3-2 in the decider and went on to close out the match in front of a stunned Barcelona crowd.
Looking Ahead
This victory marks one of the biggest wins of Rune’s career and cements his reputation as a serious contender on clay. While much of the spotlight often shines on Alcaraz and Sinner, Rune’s evolving game — now sharpened by Djokovic’s wisdom — adds an exciting twist to the clay-court season.
“Novak didn’t just give me tennis tips — he gave me belief,” Rune concluded. “Beating Carlos with those lessons in mind was the ultimate test, and I passed.”
As Roland Garros looms, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if Rune can continue channeling Djokovic’s influence and take his game to even greater heights.
