SUMMARY
- Holger Rune faces a coaching setback with Boris Becker and Severin Luthi absent for the 2024 Brisbane International.
- Kenneth Carlsen steps in as Rune's temporary coach for the event, with Boris Becker enjoying an extended Christmas break with girlfriend.
Holger Rune faces an unexpected coaching setback as he prepares for the first tennis tournament of the 2024 season at Brisbane International. The young Danish talent had secured the services of Boris Becker and Roger Federer’s former coach, Severin Luthi, to guide him through the upcoming season.
However, Rune received confirmation that neither coach would accompany him to Australia for the opening week of the year. Despite the strategic alliance, both Becker and Luthi will be absent from Rune’s camp during the Brisbane tournament. In their absence, Kenneth Carlsen, a tennis expert working with TV2 Sport, steps in as Rune’s temporary coach for the Brisbane event.
Rune and Carlsen were recently spotted practicing together in Denmark during the Christmas celebrations. The duo has since traveled to Australia in preparation for the upcoming tournament. While Carlsen’s coaching role is temporary and limited to Brisbane, Boris Becker and Severin Luthi are expected to join Rune in Australia ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
It has been confirmed that tennis expert Kenneth Carlsen will be Holger Rune’s coach in the first week of 2024 for Brisbane. #BrisbaneTennis
Luthi and Becker will take over after for the Australian Open when they arrive in Melbourne on the 8th of January. https://t.co/G7cAryHU6t
— Holger Rune News (@running_rune) December 27, 2023
Meanwhile, Boris Becker is currently enjoying an extended Christmas break with his girlfriend, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, in the African island nation of Sao Tome and Príncipe. He had recently shared some beautiful snapshots on his Instagram account, showcasing some moments from his visit to the stunning African island with his girlfriend.
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Becker is anticipated to rejoin Rune in Melbourne before the Australian Open commences on January 14, 2024. However, Rune didn’t waste any time upon landing in Australia, as he kicked off his campaign for the 2024 season with Brisbane International. He was seen sparring on the court with none other than the Spanish legend, Rafael Nadal, who is making a highly anticipated comeback in the same event.
Holger Rune and Rafael Nadal form a perfectly timed alliance on the court
In a tale of an unexpected tennis alliance on the court, Holger Rune and Rafael Nadal kicked off their Brisbane preparations with a spirited practice session. Touching down on Australian soil for the much-awaited 2024 Brisbane International, Nadal wasted no time in choosing Rune, the event’s top seed, as his practice partner.
Rune, who arrived in Brisbane on the same day as Nadal, humorously declared that there was “no time for jet lag,” on social media while sharing a video of his practice with Nadal. His post hinted at the thrilling opportunity to share the court with the 22-time Grand Slam champion, emphasizing the excitement that fueled their energy-sapping practice session.
No time for jetlag 😜Evening practice with @RafaelNadal @BrisbaneTennis 🔛🔥 pic.twitter.com/dyeXqghlZS
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) December 28, 2023
The duo were sharing the court for the first time in their careers, as they had never played each other before. The evening session at the Pat Rafter Arena was filled with dazzling shots and playful challenges. Social media buzzed with videos capturing the dynamic exchange between the 20-year-old Danish talent and the seasoned Spaniard.
Rune, ranked world no. 8, is the highest seed in the tournament, whereas Nadal currently ranked world no. 672 due to an injury break, has secured his participation through a wildcard. The sparring collaboration between Nadal and Rune for the practice session adds an intriguing twist to the tournament since both could soon become fierce rivals on the court.