In 2022, when Holger Rune’s tennis went to the stratosphere, the then-19-year-old Dane rifling through Top 10 opponents like the vikings once rolled over their ancient adversaries, the assumption was automatic: The Dane was headed to the top of the tennis mountain. 

Rune went on a run for the ages at the 2022 Paris Masters, becoming the first player since the start of the ATP Tour to earn five Top 10 wins at an event other than the Nitto ATP Finals. 

The blossoming Dane defeated Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic in the final, and would soon become the first man from his country to ever reach the ATP’s Top 10. 

Asked what impressed him the most about the kid who had just taken him down, Djokovic deadpanned: “His fighting spirit.” 

That spirit is still intact, but Rune himself has not yet fulfilled the promise that his Paris triumph predicted. Yes, he reached No. 4 in the world in 2023 and made history for his country in the process, but two and a half years later the Copenhagen native has yet to win another Masters title, nor has he reached a Grand Slam semifinal. 

It’s not for lack of trying. Rune’s effort has never been in question. Same for his talent, which bleeds off the page. But at times his tennis has lacked identity, and at others his focus has been fleeting. Rune has been outside the Top 10 for nearly a year, but all the while he’s growing. 

Still 21, Rune is eager to digest the lessons he has learned over the last two difficult seasons, and turn them into winning ways. 

“I have learned my lessons,” he says. “Things don't happen without a reason. I think every player deserves to be where they are, so I deserve to be at my ranking… It's about making results, but at the same time improving your game and having stability.”

Rune, who will face Daniil Medvedev on semifinal Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open, believes that his current ranking tells an incomplete story.

“I don't believe I have become a worse player the last two years,” he said. “I actually think the opposite. I think I have become a better all-around player.”

Another strong point that Rune possesses should serve him well: passion. There’s no lack of commitment here. 

“When you have these expectations and you don't quite live up to them, of course it's disappointing,” he said earlier this week. “It's very basic and it's very maybe boring to say, but I just love tennis. So even not being satisfied with my results, I still love to go down to the practice court and hit forehands, backhands, work on my shots, my physicality.

His next opponent believes that Rune might suffer from the same problem that plagued Roger Federer when he was young and struggling to break through. Too many tools to work with, which can make decision-making challenging on the court. 

“His talent is really strong, because he has, I would say, probably every shot that you can have in tennis,” Medvedev said on Thursday, when asked to look ahead to the pair’s semifinal clash. “Good slice, good dropshot, good volley. He can spin, he can play flat, he can serve well, he can kick well. I feel like he has every shot.

“I wonder if maybe sometimes it disturbs him, because when you have like that many arms, it might even be tricky.” 

It could be so, but it’s a good problem to have. Rune may be outside of the Top 10 looking in at the moment, but with his game – and his desire to improve – he probably won’t be for long. 

In the meantime, he can keep on fighting the good fight. The sturdy Dane was built for this struggle, and he fully intends to find his way through. 

“Mentally I feel good right now. I feel very composed on the court. I'm just going day by day,” he said. “I think I'm living my dream, and definitely it's a nicer feeling when it also goes together on the match court.”