{"id":111169,"date":"2025-08-26T11:49:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T11:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/111169\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T11:49:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T11:49:07","slug":"annoyed-holger-rune-hits-back-at-his-opponent-after-knocking-him-out-of-the-us-open-he-made-it-a-little-bit-personal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/111169\/","title":{"rendered":"Annoyed Holger Rune hits back at his opponent after knocking him out of the US Open, ‘he made it a little bit personal’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Holger Rune has won his first match at the US Open since 2022, but he was not happy about everything.<\/p>\n

Rune lost in the first round of Wimbledon<\/a>, and was looking for his first Grand Slam win since Roland Garros<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Dane had an interesting North American hard court swing, including Rune being coached by Andre Agassi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite a seemingly straightforward first round win at the US Open<\/a>, Rune<\/a> has revealed that he was actually a bit irritated by something his opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp<\/a>, did.<\/p>\n

\"HolgerPhoto by Al Bello\/Getty ImagesHolger Rune annoyed by what Botic van de Zandschulp did during their match at the US Open<\/p>\n

The US Open is by far Rune\u2019s worst performing Grand Slam tournament, and he had only won one match at the New York major before 2025.<\/p>\n

Rune has now made that two wins after his 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(2) victory over Van de Zandschulp, the player who beat Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n

While Grand Slam tournaments are often the biggest motivation for tennis players, Rune revealed that Van de Zandschulp actually did something during the match that fuelled him even more.<\/p>\n

When speaking on court to the US Open Radio, Rune claimed that the Dutchman fist pumped in his face, something he suggested he was not happy about.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe made it a little bit personal,\u201d said Rune. \u201cHe made a fist pump right in my face so I know how he behaves when he\u2019s a little bit stressed so it\u2019s okay. I\u2019m not afraid of that, I just turned it into fuel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rune to US Open Radio after beating van de Zandschulp: <\/p>\n

\u201cHe made it a little bit personal. He made a fist pump right in my face so I know how he behaves when he\u2019s a little bit stressed so it\u2019s okay. I\u2019m not afraid of that, I just turned it into fuel.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/x7O1FJEJs1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Gill Gross \ud83c\udf06 (@Gill_Gross) August 25, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Why Holger Rune could be at risk of another early US Open exit<\/p>\n

Rune is the 11th seed at the US Open this year, but he could be under a lot of pressure ahead of his second round match.<\/p>\n

That match is against German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff, who is currently the world number 144.<\/p>\n

Despite the big disparity in their respective rankings, Struff has been ranked as high as world number 21 and won his only previous meeting with Rune.<\/p>\n

Not only did Struff beat Rune, but he only dropped two games in their match on the Munich clay last year.<\/p>\n

Rune will now look to achieve two things that he has never done before, beat Struff and win back-to-back matches at the US Open for the first time.<\/p>\n