In a remarkable turn of events at the Paris Masters last year, Holger Rune, a then-19-year-old rising tennis sensation, not only silenced his critics but also went on to claim the coveted ATP 1000 title. However, the journey that led to this triumphant moment was filled with drama and fierce competition.
Rune’s 2022 season was nothing short of sensational. He began the year ranked outside the top 100 globally but ended it with a top 10 debut and a first Masters title in his trophy cabinet. He started his journey to the Paris Masters with victories at the Stockholm Open and the Swiss Indoors, showcasing his impressive form as he entered the event.
But the story of his Paris triumph commenced with a heated battle with Swiss tennis icon, Stan Wawrinka both on and off the court. In their first-round thrilling 3-set clash, Wawrinka didn’t mince words, dubbing Rune a “baby” during a dispute on the court.
“Stop acting like a baby on the court”.https://t.co/yjH0ewbBFU
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 1, 2022
The tension during his encounter with Wawrinka was palpable, as the Swiss veteran surged to a 6-4 lead. Rune faced adversity, needing to save multiple match points to turn the tide and secure a thrilling victory in a decisive tiebreak winning 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3). When the match concluded, Wawrinka couldn’t resist one final jibe, advising Rune to “stop acting like a baby on the court.”
However, this comment only seemed to fuel Rune’s determination. In a stunning display of skill and resilience, he went on to defeat five top-10 players in a single week, a feat achieved for the first time. Rune’s Paris Masters triumph was a testament to his rising star status in the world of tennis.
The tennis saga of battle on the court and words continues
The ongoing feud that started last year between rising star Holger Rune and seasoned veteran Stan Wawrinka yet again took another twist when the pair met for only the second time in their career head-to-head. The saga, which began with Wawrinka labeling Rune a “baby on the court,” escalated with a fiery exchange following their encounter at the ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells.
Their third-round match in Indian Wells was nothing short of an intense see-saw fight, with Rune saving a match point and battling back from a 0-4 tiebreak deficit to force a third set. In the end, Wawrinka claimed victory with a score of 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5, making it even the two times they faced each other. But the drama didn’t stop there.
stan is still the man 🔥🔥@stanwawrinka leaves it all on the court. He defeats Rune 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5. #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/62vWLPdV2g
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 13, 2023
After the match, this time Rune confronted Wawrinka with a cheeky jibe, “You’ve got nothing to say now?” The exchange continued as Rune pressed for a response. Their post-match dialogue hinted at the lingering tension between the 19-year-old Dane and the 37-year-old Swiss tennis icon. The saga spilled then over to social media, with Rune venting his frustrations on critics, who seemed to side with Wawrinka.
Rune got something to say to the haters. pic.twitter.com/hAOweJowiy
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 14, 2023
Wawrinka, in return, cautioned Rune about his actions, mentioning concerns about the young player harming his own reputation. The Rune-Wawrinka tough on-court battles and the war of words remains captivating story in the world of tennis.