Holger Rune’s form needs fixing as Queen’s loss extends underwhelming run

You will find few in tennis that back themselves more than Holger Rune.

Ever since the uber-talented Dane broke onto the tennis scene two years ago, he has never been one to shy away from publicly backing himself on and off court, or afraid to speak his mind.

In an era of mostly subdued or media-trained personalities, Rune’s brash, positive confidence is a breath of fresh air in a sport constantly looking for new personalities.

At the moment, though, there are problems to solve, especially after his Queen’s Club campaign came crashing to a halt at the first hurdle.

The seventh seed and 2023 semi-finalist started brightly, breaking to take the first set against Jordan Thompson – a man who has proven dangerous on grass throughout his career.

But the Dane fell an early minibreak down in the second set tiebreak, and an early break of serve in the decider powered Thompson to a 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory.

That snapped Thompson’s run of five straight losses but leaves Rune still stuck in a slight rut, scrambling for answers.

This was his first grass court match of the season and he looked surprisingly uncomfortable on a surface he found some success on last year, slipping on multiple occasions.

But, even he conceded the change in surface could not be put down as the reason for this defeat.

“It was quite slippery, to be honest. I think I slipped maybe three times,” he said.

“But, it’s the same on both sides and he managed to not slip. I just need to get better balance for the upcoming tournaments and just be better in general.

“I feel like it is what it is. You know, we just have to adjust and, you know, didn’t do it good enough today. I can blame the court, but that’s not going to help. I can only blame myself.

“I just have to move better, stay more balanced, and then I believe that I’m going to play better.”

Rune’s early loss is systemic of the season he is having; having reached a career-high of fourth last August, he has fallen down to 15th.

He has failed to reach a final since the Brisbane International earlier this year and has in fact not won a title since April last year – and holds a rather unspectacular 22-13 record for 2024.

Once seen level with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as part of a trio set to dominate the game, he has been left behind by those contemporaries, who are world No 1 and No 2 and reigning Slam champions.

“It’s amazing to see what Carlos has been doing,” Rune reflected magnanimously.

“Winning the French Open and already three Grand Slam titles at such a young age is crazy. It’s good for the sport. He’s doing a great job with his team. All credit to him.”

New British No 1 Jack Draper sets sights on further glory after Stuttgart success

Andy Murray handed tough opening round draw in potential Queen’s Club farewell

There should be no doubt that the 21-year-old is still capable of one day becoming a Grand Slam winner, and potentially a world No 1, but that looks a while off now.

Whether it’s a perennial instability in his coaching setup – he is now back with Patrick Mouratoglou, after a short-lived partnership with Boris Becker – or a general sophomore slump, recent results do not make good reading: it is only his problem to solve.

He now heads into Wimbledon , where there is a little pressure on him after reaching the last eight for the first time in 2023.

Post-Wimbledon, he has few points to defend – it was around then his form began to dip – but there is undoubtedly a little rankings pressure on the world No 15 at SW19.

And, even if the form is not quite there, Rune’s aura of self-confidence remains one of the most unshakeable features of the sport.

“It’s obviously not ideal right now, but I might get the chance to play a few more matches hopefully before, and let’s see.

“I think Grand Slams are a lot different. Let’s say today was a Grand Slam, I still would have had time to find my rhythm and everything to come back and win. But it’s short, so I had to be better in the decisive moments and I wasn’t.

“I’m not worried about Wimbledon, to be honest. I still believe in myself.”

The eight men to defend Queen’s Club title – as Carlos Alcaraz looks to become No 9