Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune have known each other for a long time now. Ahead of their quarterfinal clash this week, an adorable video of the two of them has surfaced online. In the video, Alcaraz and Rune can be seen playing doubles at Les Petits back in 2017.
The two boys complement each other nicely and exhibit great match awareness. Since the video has been posted, it has been getting an immense response from the tennis world.
Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune playing doubles together at 13 years of age 😍 (via @LesPetitsAs) pic.twitter.com/HebOK9bnwL
— Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) July 10, 2023
Both players have come a long way since this video was shot. Alcaraz is currently ranked No.1 in the ATP rankings. Here are some of the best reactions to the video of the duo.
The brilliance has always been there… https://t.co/XdAjE3Kp7I
— ‘Folarinosuolale DS/ML || DataFestAfrica2023 (@folarinosu) July 11, 2023
6 years ago, neither of those kids would have thought they would be playing at the level that they do now, let alone facing each other at one of the biggest Grand Slams.
This was only 6 Years ago!!
Imagine if someone told those kids that in few years they would be playing each other in #wimbledon2023 quarter finals with the winner likely to face Djokovic for the title! (Who at the time already had 12 grand slam titles, including 3 at #Wimbledon) https://t.co/LcvrUWkpH7
— Hawary (@Hawary) July 11, 2023
Here are a few more reactions.
They know each other’s games well. Should be a fun QF. https://t.co/rQhHna9fTv
— Tahseen Kamal, Ph.D. (ANU), FHEA (@tkamal16) July 10, 2023
This is actually so cute https://t.co/nUdCH8SxN4
— Raiyan (@NovakDjokerFans) July 11, 2023
Baby Carlos and Holge 😍 Now Wimbledon Quarter-Finalists! 🙌 https://t.co/pzCc3JARrz
— Sarah (@SarahStano) July 11, 2023
It will indeed be a match to watch out for as they face each other for the first time at the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. The fans expect a firecracker of a match from these two youngsters.
Holger Rune vs Carlos Alcaraz will be going toe to toe
Going into the match, Carlos Alcaraz is favored to come away as the winner. The current world number one has won several titles this year, while Rune has only the BMW Open to show for it. Alcaraz had also had a good run at the French Open until he lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinal.
This is the first time that either of them has made it to the quarterfinals at the All-England club. The world number one did find tough opposition from fellow Italian player Matteo Berrettini.
Berrettini took the 1st set 6-3. This did not deter the Spaniard at all as he came back hard to win the next three sets in succession. Even though the roof closure of Centre Court caused a bit of a delay, Alcaraz was on song as play resumed.
Holger Rune had faced Grigor Dimitrov in a 4 set thriller. In a fashion similar to his counterpart, Rune also lost the first set but came back to level the scores. He won the next two sets to secure this quarterfinal spot. The Dane hit an impressive 46 winners during the match.
It is going to be an exciting quarterfinal clash. The two kids grew up playing alongside each other and are well-versed in their opponent’s playing style. Ahead of this big matchup, a nostalgic video of two 13-year-olds playing side-by-side has won hearts and made fans more eager.