At the Montpellier Open, Holger Rune won what proves a historic triumph in his second round encounter with Pablo Llamas Ruiz.
The Danish star was inj action for the first time since a disappointing early exit from the Australian Open at the hands of Arthur Cazaux.
Rune advanced into the tournament’s quarterfinals by putting up a solid display against Llamas Ruiz, a Spanish qualifier, to get back to winning ways and also join an exclusive club.
Rune, who accepted a late wild card, is the event’s top seed. After making it to the semifinals in his rookie season in 2023, he is back in Montpellier for the second time.
Rune became one of the few players in history to win their 100th tour-level match before turning 21 when he defeated Llamas Ruiz 7-5, 6-2.
The four-time ATP champion will turn 21 in April, and he know shares this honour with players like Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and the recently crowned Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner.
Because of changes to tour structure the ATP only acknowledges this milestone bracket from 2000 onward but 13 players have achieved 100 wins before turning 21.
Rune’s mother Anneke is one of his biggest supporters and she loves to see him taking on the best in the world with noe fear in his eyes.
“In general I love to see the fire in his eyes. These matches against the legends, he knows that he cannot do anything wrong,” Anneke Rune told ATPTour.com.
“You see him doing an effort in everything he does on court, which makes the match very exciting to watch. But also as a parent watching, it’s impressive to see that you can keep focussed, that you can make an effort in every stroke you do. You can think. You get proud when you watch this.”
She feels that her son’s passion always shines through and she feels that he is a resilient player equipped to bounce back from disappointments.
“When you don’t succeed and you put in your heart and your work and everything, it’s really tough,” Aneke said.
“For instance, after losing the Rome final, it was like suffering. And I think this too is an important part, actually more important than the beginning of the episode.
“He’s not finding excuses and I think that’s also the way he was raised. He understands and he accepts that sometimes things are not going his way, but don’t try to find excuses. Keep working, keep finding solutions, keep doing the right things and adjust where you need to adjust with yourself, with your team, with whatever is needed to achieve your dreams.”
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