Top 10 star confesses: ‘Beast’ Novak Djokovic told me he is ‘not a superhero’
Novak Djokovic has openly admitted that he is “not a superhero” according to world No 7 Holger Rune, ahead of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.
Rune and Djokovic, who is playing in his first tournament since his shock split from Goran Ivanisevic, are known to have a close relationship.
The pair were spotted practicing together in Monte Carlo earlier this week ahead of the first Masters 1000 tournament of the clay season.
Rune, considered one of the greatest young talents on the tour with four ATP titles already to his name, has spoken often of admiration of Djokovic and the rest of the ‘Big Three.’
And, in quotes first reported by Punto de Break, Rune opened up about a candid chat he had with Djokovic about working on his mental strength.
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“He gave me advice on the mental level, because he’s a beast,” said Rune.
“But he told me he was human, not a superhero. He also feels the emotions we all feel, but he handles them differently than other players.
“He told me that this was one of the reasons why he was more successful than others. It’s impressive to watch him, just like Rafa and Roger.”
Both Djokovic and Rune are under pressure in Monte Carlo this week, with neither inside the top ten of the ATP Race to Turin after the opening three months of the season.
But, while Djokovic will be looking to again rival and beat the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, it is more rankings pressure that concerns the Dane.
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Rune was a beaten finalist in Monte Carlo last year and now has to defend those ranking points, the first set of a large chunk of ranking points on the line for him this clay season.
The 20-year-old was also runner-up at the Masters 1000 event in Rome in 2023, alongside winning the title in Munich and reaching the last eight at Roland Garros.
Seeded seventh in Monte Carlo this time around, last year’s beaten finalist is set to face Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier in his first match, after receiving a round one by.
He could then face ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov – who beat him in the Brisbane final back in January – before a potential last eight contest against world No 2 Sinner, who beat in the last four a year ago.
