Novak Djokovic hailed Holger Rune as the way forward for the game and mentioned he was reminded of himself lots whereas watching the Danish teenager, who can attain the highest 10 of the ATP rankings with a victory within the Paris Masters last on Sunday.
Reigning champion Djokovic overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas in a three-set epic on Saturday to arrange a gathering with Rune, after the 19-year-old stormed into his first ATP Masters 1000 title conflict with a snug win over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
A victory for Rune will be certain that he breaks into the highest 10 for the primary time however Djokovic, who beat the Dane of their assembly finally yr’s U.S. Open, hoped to delay his younger buddy’s first Masters 1000 crown.
“We get alongside very well. Good buddies off the courtroom. After all on the courtroom, rivals. I performed him solely as soon as… good battle, 4 units. He has improved lots. Bodily, he is a match man. He is younger so not a lot to lose,” Djokovic instructed reporters.
“I count on that (on Sunday)… He jogs my memory of myself, strong backhand, excellent defence and simply aggressive… each level leaving his coronary heart and his legs on the market on the courtroom. It is good to see. I believe he is excellent for our sport usually.”
Djokovic, who’s gunning for a seventh Paris Masters crown, mentioned Rune deserved all his success having reached 4 straight finals in the course of the indoor season.
“I’ve adopted him the final three-four years, his rebellion via Challenger degree after which getting now to high 15 on the planet,” Djokovic mentioned.
“Little doubt he is the way forward for the game together with Carlos Alcaraz and another guys.”