Holger Rune takes swipe at US Open organisers for giving him the ‘worst courts’

Shahida Jacobs
Holger Rune during a match
Holger Rune asking questions

Holger Rune will kick off his 2023 US Open campaign against Roberto Carballes Baena on Monday, but the Dane is unimpressed with his court allocation for the match.

As the current world No 4, Rune was hoping to feature on one of the showcourts on the opening day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Instead of playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium or Grandstand, Rune will take on Carballes Baena on Court 5, much to his annoyance.

“Usopen site map. In case you can find court 5, this is where I play my first match Monday followed by 11:00 @usopen #seeyou #lovemyfans #loveyoursupport,” Rune wrote on X/Twitter.

During an interview with Denmark’s TV2, it was put to Rune that organisers showed a “lack of respect” towards him by putting him on “one of the smallest courts”.

The fourth seed replied: “I completely agree. It is two ATP managers/supervisors who always give me the worst courts. So that’s how it is.”

He was then asked: “You say they are the same two people. Is there anything in it?”

The Dane answered: “100 percent [there is something in it]. But I don’t mind complaining about it. I have a tournament to win and I have to be focused. I have to do my best, no matter what court I’m on.

“There can be a crazy good atmosphere out on these small courts because everyone can come in and see them, so I’m really looking forward to it. But of course it is a strange planning.”

Rune heads into the US Open on the back of a difficult build-up as he retired with a back injury from his second-round match at the Cincinnati Open over a fortnight fortnight ago.

Although an update ahead of the tournament stated he should be ready for the season-ending Grand Slam as he wrote: “Small improvements on the back pain. Scan, X-ray, treatment and excellent team work between doctors in New York and Monaco and my team making me sure that I will be ready.”

He also lost early at the Canadian Open while he skipped the Croatia Open due to issues with his lower back and the injury eventually flared up again in Cincinnati.

Rune finds himself in the same section as Tommy Paul as he is projected to meet the 14th seed in the fourth round and, should he progress, then he is likely to face either seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final.

READ MORE: Why Holger Rune can win the US Open

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