Exclusive: Patrick Mouratoglou excited by Holger Rune rise - 'World No. 1 next year, is that realistic? Why not'

Updated 21/12/2022 at 09:49 GMT

What a year it has been for rising star Holger Rune, who has stormed up the world rankings and made a big name for himself at Grand Slams and with his maiden ATP Tour Masters 1000 title at the Paris Masters. Rune claimed a number of very impressive wins as he stormed to victory in Paris and top coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, believes he can continue his rapid improvement.

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Top tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has given his thoughts on Holger Rune, one of his most exciting young players, and what he could potentially achieve in 2023 and beyond.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a stunning rise this year, winning two ATP Tour titles, including his first Masters title, reaching his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final and also achieving a career-high No. 10 in the world rankings.

Mouratoglou is hugely excited at what he believes Rune could achieve in the sport after his stunning triumph at the Paris Masters, where he defeated big names such as Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic to take the title.

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Could the fiery Dane reach the coveted world No. 1 ranking next season? Mouratoglou does not see any reason why not given his precocious talent and fiery, strong mentality, on and off the court.

"I think everything is realistic," Mouratoglou told Eurosport's Arnold Montgault. "I think if you set limits for yourself, you're not going to get past them anyway, so he's absolutely right to set high goals for himself. It works for him.

"There is no shame in having great ambitions. Holger aims high all the time, but that's also why he is capable of doing great things. He doesn't necessarily set many limits for himself, and if he fulfils his goals, that's great.

"If he doesn't make it, that's okay. He'll put it off for six months, a year, two years, three years, as long as it takes for him to get there.

"I think that depending on your personality, you can experience ambitions as a pressure or, on the contrary, as something that will motivate you enormously. He's someone who likes a challenge, Holger, so I think it makes him feel good.

"World No. 1 next year, is that realistic? Why not. When you can do what he did, anything is possible. Now, it's going to require him to be able to perform like he did in Bercy [at the Paris Masters], all year long, and especially in the Grand Slams and in the Masters 1000, where it counts the most.

"So it's not going to be easy, obviously, but if it were easy to be the best in the world, we'd know already. Is that realistic? It's not unrealistic. It will be extremely difficult, but it is not unrealistic."

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What is the route to reaching the very top of the game? Mouratoglou knows what it takes and the kind of mentality that is required to be as consistent as a player needs to be in order to usurp the other big names in the top 10.

"The steps are simple when you want to become world No. 1. You're going to have to shine in the Masters 1000. He's got to win at least three and he's got to win at least one Grand Slam if he wants to be. But we're trying not to look too far ahead because it's good to stay in the short term.

"For the longer term, he has to stay there. That's what I've set as a goal, so he knows what he has to do. It's not going to be easy, but the challenges are also what make things exciting when you're in high-level sport."

Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou

Image credit: Getty Images

Asked if the goal for Rune was to win 15 Grand Slams, Mouratoglou was cautious not to put too much pressure on his young charge with the goals they have already set at this early stage in his career.

"I don't project that far because it's a little bit unrealistic. Today, he hasn't won a Grand Slam yet, so to imagine him with 15 Grand Slams is too early. I think you have to set yourself stages in life.

"He will have to win one already. It will be a huge achievement. And then we'll probably aim higher. If he ever does. But already, we have very high goals in the short term. We'll concentrate on that and then we'll see.

"He really showed that he really blossomed this year. So he's very flattered, he's very happy and I think he has a lot to be proud of this year. But because he's a champion in his head, he's already looking ahead."

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