Boris Becker parts with Holger Rune as his head coach

• Boris Becker started coaching Holger Rune in October 2023
• He did not accompany him to Melbourne as a coach
• Instead, he worked as a tennis analyst for Eurosport Germany

News about Boris Becker parts with Holger Rune as his head coach barely four months into the job has left tennis fans in shock.

The former world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion said he has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

There was a lot of hope with Rune when he announced in October that he had hired Becker as his coach following his run at the 2023 US Open.

The German expressed hope in making a star out of the Dane but things seem not to have worked out as expected.

Boris Becker Parts with Holger Rune as His Head Coach

Becker clarified that his professional and private responsibilities kept him from being accessible to work with Rune on a regular basis.  This impacted their cooperation in a big way.

Rune also cut ties with Severin Luthi, his Swiss coach, who also worked with him in December 2023 in preparation for the 2024 tennis season.

Luthi accompanied Rune to the 2024 Australian Open where the Dane lost to French wildcard Arthur Cazaux in the second round. Luthi coached Roger Federer from 2007 until his retirement in 2022.

Becker criticized Rune following his loss in Melbourne where he was a no-show and instead worked as a tennis analyst for Eurosport Germany.

Boris Becker. Photo/The Mirror

How Did Holger Rune Lose at the Australian Open 2024?

The opening set was a closely contested match in which both players held their serves until the tiebreak. Cazaux had an aggressive stance, constantly hitting accurate groundstrokes and strong serves to challenge Rune.

In the tiebreak, Rune unexpectedly faltered, allowing Cazaux to seize a 7-4 advantage and denting Rune’s confidence early on.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Cazaux dominating the rallies with his strong baseline game. Rune struggled to find his rhythm, resulting in errors that aided Cazaux in securing a crucial break and claiming the set 6-4.

Facing potential elimination, the Dane showcased resilience in the third set, regaining his form with powerful forehand strokes and breaking Cazaux’s serve to take a 4-2 lead, hinting at a possible comeback.

Yet, Cazaux swiftly countered, breaking back to regain momentum and ultimately securing the third set 6-4, setting the stage for a tense conclusion.

The fourth set unfolded as a tightly contested duel, but Cazaux maintained composure, consistently delivering winning shots. Breaking Rune’s serve once more, he closed out a remarkable 7-6(4) 6-4 4-6 6-3 triumph, eliminating Rune from the Australian Open.

What Did Boris Becker Say About Holger Rune after Australian Open Exit?

Becker bluntly said that if Rune is to meet the expectations of his supporters, he needs to work on himself a little bit more.

Rune fell short of the expectations of many, who thought he would have a chance to play in the semifinals or finals of the Australian Open. However, he took a 6-7 (4-7), 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 loss came from world No. 122 Cazaux.

He claimed that because mental toughness is a key component of the tennis winning formula the 20-year-old needs to focus on strengthening it.

A lack of it was one of the factors that caused him to leave the US Open early in the first round in 2023 according to Becker.

Holger Rune. Photo/Yardbarker

Becker told Eurosport that Rune’s quick responses are great but timing is a problem and he needs to work on that.

“He’s got a very quick arm, he’s got a lot of firepower, he’s got a lot of inspiration on the court, but at the same time that’s the problem. It’s knowing when to do what. So talking about tactics, when to accelerate, when to take chances and when you play defensively, it’s always a fine line when to do what,” Becker said.

“Losing the first set in the tie-break and then losing your very first service game in the second set, those are the moments he has to improve mentally.”

Rune is among a new generation of young tennis players exuding a lot of potential and they are building a huge fanbase each year.