What's Cramping Holger Rune's Game?

Holger Rune has built an impressively polished all-court game before his 20th birthday. He’s equally strong on his forehand and backhand, with no apparent shortcomings in power or speed, great touch and a highly competitive attitude.

A quick look at his game and one might jump to the conclusion that the teenager from Denmark has no weakness. But those who have chronicled his young career know a rather unusual issue has delayed Rune’s progress.

Cramping.

Rune developed a reputation for being cramp-prone from the time he was playing Challengers, and eventually, the problem surfaced under the sport’s brightest lights in what was, at the time, the biggest match of Holger’s young career.

With Novak Djokovic going for the calendar Grand Slam at the 2021 US Open, Rune ignited a rowdy crowd with a 2nd-set tiebreak victory. But it was clear by late in the 3rd set that Rune’s legs wouldn’t allow a stunning upset. He was cramping by the hour-40 mark. His 1st serve speeds in the 4th and final set averaged under 100 miles per hour. Djokovic won it 6-1.

At that time, it was natural to wonder if cramps of all things were going to hold back Holger Rune’s career? Over a year later, we reflect and re-visit that question.

Written & Narrated by @GillGross

About Baseline Tennis:

Baseline Tennis adds colour and context to the stories behind the game – both familiar and lesser-known.

Standing apart from the maelstrom of the 24/7 news cycle, Baseline Tennis provides informative, engaging and intelligent content on the past, present and future of the game, focusing on the stories that matter.

Our videos combine 3D imagery, motion graphics, archive footage, graphical illustrations and sound, to create rich and vivid storytelling, bringing the viewer immersive profiles of players, tournaments, key moments from history, the skills of the game and major discussion points.

It's tennis. But viewed differently.

#holgerrune #atp #tennis

[taon]

He's one tough kid no doubt about that. I can't wait for next season to see if he and Alcaraz can follow up on their historic seasons. Also looking forward to see how FAA, Sinner and Tsitsi will do. A new era is beginning.

[TrollMagic]

Gill! Great analysis and hearing you here in this channel.
What an amazing video @Baseline Tennis

[diegosotomiranda]

I think un Holger case his cramps were mostly fue do stress and anxiety, the guy loves the sport and wants to be succesfull and it's doing everything he can to archieve that, having that insane drive can lead to obsession, and like You said the most difficult part can be having balance between effort and relaxation

[seaneckhart]

Cramping tends to happen when youre all tense up which makes sense when he played Djokovic for the 1st time. Its a lot more mental related then people think. He just won his first masters 1000 beating a bunch of top 10 including Djokovic so I dont think that will be an issue in the future.

[anthonyabbott]

Cramping can be caused by mouth breathing breathing incorrectly too fast. l-Arginine an amino acid taken on its own will increase the production of nitric oxide and is a vasodilator so allowing for greater intake of oxygen.

[Overbass]

Since there's almost no doubt it's not dehydration or electrolyte deficiency in his case, it's 100% caused by stress. He'll overcome is very soon.

[flash-ujly]

Holger Rune is such a versatile player. He is versatile + Adaptable player!

[jacintacesp]

Great little vídeo. Didnt Medvedev also have that issue?

[ciarraibuzz]

Magnesium powder (I use brand Calm) would be of significant help and I anm sure his physio and coach know all about magnesium. Works for pros and non-pros.

[flash-ujly]

Hubert Hurkacz = adaptable + versatile!
Holger Rune = adaptable + versatile!