Carlos Alcaraz on Holger Rune: ‘We’ll have battles like Djokovic, Federer & Nadal’

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz said he will have battles like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal with Holger Rune. Both Alcaraz and Rune are coming up in the ranks and they have a bright future ahead of themselves.

While Alcaraz started his Australian Open campaign with a straight-set win against Richard Gasquet, Rune won his opening-round match against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in four sets.

“Holger is a very difficult player, he’s also coming up really quickly and I know that we will have battles like Djokovic, Federer and Nadal did when they were younger for all those years,” Alcaraz said on Break Point Season 2. “All the hard work, all the sacrifices made have been worth it just to reach this point.”

On the other hand, Alcaraz registered a 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4 win against Rune in the quarterfinal of Wimbledon. Rune admitted that the Spaniard played better than him in the tough situations of the game.

“I was excited. I was feeling good physically,” Rune said. “I was ready to do everything I could do in my power to win, but he was dealing with the nerves better than I was. He just played better in the important moments.”

Meanwhile, Alcaraz revealed how he blocks outside noise to keep his focus intact.

“Play aggressive, that is my style. Play with joy,” Alcaraz said. “I don’t have people telling me you have to achieve that, or you have to win all the matches. I try not to think about that, but about me, my team and my family.

“Therefore, I don’t feel that pressure.”

Carlos Alcaraz will next face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the second round of the Australian Open whereas Holger Rune will take on France’s Arthur Cazaux in the second round.