Australian Open 2024: Boris Becker says Holger Rune 'has to improve mentally' after defeat - 'He's a rough diamond'

ByAndrew Wright

Published 18/01/2024 at 21:00 GMT

Boris Becker said Holger Rune "has to improve mentally" if he is to realise his potential after the Dane lost in the second round of the Australian Open. Rune hired Becker in October of last year and enjoyed an upturn in form but was beaten in four sets by France's Arthur Cazaux at the first Grand Slam of 2024. Stream the Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

Boris Becker described Holger Rune as a “rough diamond” and admitted the Dane has work to do to improve after he crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round to Arthur Cazaux.

Rune dropped the first two sets against his French opponent, and although he rallied to clinch the third, lost 6-7(4) 4-6 6-4 3-6.

The Dane properly announced himself on the big stage with three ATP titles in 2022, including the Masters 1000 event in Paris, but suffered a slump in the latter half of 2023.

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Linking up with Becker in October sparked an upturn in form, and the German discussed where his 20-year-old prodigy has room for improvement after exiting the first Grand Slam of the year.

“He’s got a very quick arm, he’s got a lot of firepower, he’s got a lot of inspiration on the court, but at the same time that’s the problem,” Becker said on Eurosport. “It’s knowing when to do what.

“So talking about tactics, when to accelerate, when to take chances and when you play defensively, it’s always a fine line when to do what.

“Losing the first set in the tie-break and then losing your very first service game in the second set, those are the moments he has to improve mentally.”

Rune shocked in four sets by Cazaux - Australian Open highlights

Mats Wilander identified Rune’s forehand as a weakness and asked Becker how he plans to improve it so it becomes a real weapon.

“He needs to use the heavy topspin a bit more,” Becker added. “Now and then it’s a bit flat or he hits a half-volley from the baseline, which on good days is a trick shot and on bad days you hit it with the frame out.

“So the average needs to be a little higher and I would want him to play with a heavier topspin.”

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Becker also confirmed his relationship with Rune would continue beyond Melbourne and said he was glad Severn Luthi, who was formerly part of Roger Federer’s coaching team, had agreed to come on board.

It’s an arrangement Becker hopes will bring the best out of the 20-year-old.

“I call him a rough diamond, you just have to shape him a little bit,” Becker continued. “I was very happy we could have Severin Luthi join the team because coaching Holger is full-time for 52 weeks a year and I have other obligations so we’re going to find a way where sometimes he coaches him, sometimes I do and sometimes we do it together.

“Let’s see how it plays out.”

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