Rune Seeks Revival with Agassi’s Guidance

Danish Star Enlists Tennis Legend After Wimbledon Stumble

Following a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon, Danish tennis sensation Holger Rune is looking to reignite his season. He has been seen on court with tennis icon Andre Agassi, hinting at a renewed approach.

Agassi’s Input for a Stronger Return

Rune faced criticism for his post-match comments after a first-round loss to Nicolas Jarry at Wimbledon. He had cited a knee issue, later wishing Jarry well for the remainder of the tournament. With his physical concerns seemingly abated, Rune has now sought the expertise of Agassi.

The pair reportedly worked together for a short trial in Washington D.C. ahead of the ATP 500 tournament. Agassi, who has previously lauded Rune’s potential, appears keen to assist the world number nine as he navigates a challenging period.

Rune, who has his main coach Lars Christensen, explained his decision to collaborate with Agassi to Tennis.com. He noted the influence of multiple coaching voices as a player evolves.

“I mainly listened to one voice growing up, but as I had more coaching changes, it was natural for more people to have greater influence. Since I’ve been with Lars, I hadn’t really talked to anyone else about my tennis. I thought now was a good moment to reach out to Agassi because my base is back and I’m playing well again.”

—Holger Rune

Rune emphasized that the collaboration is not a “magic” fix but rather an opportunity to gain valuable insights. He specifically mentioned receiving advice on improving his return game and adopting a more measured approach on court.

“He had an amazing return. I have a great return, as well, but he gave me some tips on how to make it even better. He also talked a lot with my coach, Lars, sharing his experience. The goal, he thinks, is for me to try and make things move a lot more slowly on my side of the court.”

—Holger Rune

Rune’s season has been a mix of highs, including winning the Barcelona Open and reaching the Indian Wells final, but he’s struggled to replicate that form in Grand Slam events. In 2023, his win percentage on hard courts was 71.7%, but he faced early exits in the majors. This year, his challenge is to translate that consistent success to the sport’s biggest stages (ATP Tour Statistics).

Agassi’s Coaching Pedigree

This isn’t the first time Agassi has mentored a top player. Notably, he coached Novak Djokovic from May 2017 to March 2018, a period that saw Djokovic secure one title before their partnership ended due to disagreements.

Agassi also worked with Grigor Dimitrov, joining his team in 2018. Their most significant achievement together was Dimitrov’s run to the US Open semifinals in 2019, before Agassi departed a year later.

Rune aims to implement Agassi’s advice at the Washington Open, where he is the third seed and will commence his campaign in the second round against either Alexandre Muller or Beibit Zhukayev.