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Holger Rune was two games away from winning his second Masters 1000 title on Sunday, but he eventually fell short. Taking on Andrey Rublev in the final of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters, Rune led 7-5, 2-6, 4-1 before the Russian roared back to take the third set 7-5 and capture the title.
Speaking at his press conference afterwards, Rune was asked about his special relationship with the crowd, which came under the spotlight during his semifinal on Saturday. The World No. 9 braved Jannik Sinner and a hostile crowd in Monte-Carlo to come back from a one-set deficit, eventually prevailing 1-6, 7-5, 7-5.
When prompted by the interviewer if he planned to deal with hostile fans with the same nonchalance as Daniil Medvedvev, Rune replied in the negative. Declaring that he did not see himself behaving the same way, the teenager remarked that all he wanted from fans was respect.
Rune did make it a point to mention that he doesn't like spectators screaming when he is about to serve, but went on to say that as long as he receives the "respect" he deserves, he has no problems whatsoever.
"I don't see myself as Daniil Medvedev. I just think that when somebody is screaming while you're serving, it's not normal. That's why I either tell the umpire that if she can say something to the crowd, and if she doesn't, I will do it myself," Holger Rune said. "It's just all about respect. You know, it's important to respect people. I respect people. They have to respect me. That's all."
Touching on the late finish to his semifinal against Sinner, Rune admitted that he did not have much time to recover afterwards. But he took nothing away from Andrey Rublev, remarking that he gave it his all in the final and that the Russian prevailed despite that.
"I obviously feel like it was a long match yesterday. We finished late. You know, I didn't have much time to recover. It is what it is. I gave it all. Didn't have any more in me. I did what I could, and I was very close," Rune said.
Holger Rune sets sights on French Open after Monte-Carlo run
While Holger Rune was disappointed with the final result going against him, he took it in stride, stating that it was just a part of tennis he has become used to. The Dane now plans to use this experience and turn his attention to the French Open. He declared that he wants to prepare himself in the best possible way for the upcoming Clay Slam, which is the tournament that really matters to him.
"I was definitely in control in the third set and also I would say mostly in the first set as well. But again, didn't manage to close it out. Disappointing, but again, it's part of tennis," Holger Rune said.
"Just got to see what I did wrong, what I can do better, and move on, because, you know, the most important tournament of the clay season is the French Open, so, you know, if I can prepare myself as best as possible for that one, that's what matters," he added.
