Holger Rune is an extremely talented player who is at risk of creating a bad reputation for himself that he will regret in the future, according to three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka locked horns with Rune on Monday at Indian Wells where the Swiss veteran prevailed 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5, to seal a place in the fourth round. The clash was a roller-coaster encounter which saw Rune recover from a 3-5 deficit in the second set to force a decider before getting broken in the penultimate game of the match which enabled the world No.100 to secure victory. A total of 75 winners were produced during the match with 43 of those coming from Wawrinka.
The showdown was the first time the two have met on the Tour since last year’s Paris Masters which was also a tense encounter. At the end of that match, Wawrinka was heard on camera telling his younger opponent ‘“My advice to you is that you stop acting like a baby on court” after he was bemused by the behaviour of the Dane.
Wawrinka’s comment was something Rune didn’t forget with him making his own remark following their Indian Wells meeting. When they approached the net to shake hands, the world No.8 decided that it was his turn to take a swipe.
“You’ve got nothing to say now?” Rune was heard saying to his rival.
However, Wawrinka refused to get drawn into a confrontation and replied “What do you want me to say?” Some other words appeared to have been exchanged between the two but the on-court microphone failed to pick them up.
Quizzed about the exchange during his press conference, Wawrinka spoke highly of his rival before issuing him with a warning for the future.
“There is not much to say there,” the 37-year-old commented on their latest words at the net.
“The only thing I can add is that he (Rune) is a young player, a very great champion with enormous potential. But he is making a reputation in the locker rooms that one day he will regret.”
Inevitably the tense exchange has caught the eye of the fans with these being various comments on social media. One of which was from Nick Kyrgios who wrote on Instagram ‘haha yea all good when you win…typical. Holger Rune with you my brother.’ Wawrinka and Kyrgios had previously been involved in a heated exchange that took place during the 2015 Canadian Masters where the Australian was heard saying to his opponent ‘Kokkinakios banged your girlfriend’ during their match.
Meanwhile, Rune posted an Instagram story in which he hit out at those who make negative or insulting comments towards him.
“Before you write hate or sh***y comments on my or any account your should be aware of how the majority read your comment and see you as unintelligent…” Rune wrote.
“Harsh judgements are handed out so people feel better about themselves, but everyone (if of average or above average intelligence) can see that they are hurting and have been brought down by something that has them feeling defensive (jealousy)- so they become critical of others hoping to restore their self-esteem. Needless to say with no luck.”
The Dane also wrote a similar statement on Twitter which was in defence of Wawrinka when one user wrote the word ‘prick’ under a post by the ATP regarding Wawrinka’s win. However, in a reply to another user who used a meme with the word ‘loser’ towards him, he wrote ‘Did you also send that to Stan when he lost to me in three sets in Paris? Or are you just being an idiot against me?“
It is safe to say that there is little chance of Wawrinka and Rune teaming up to play doubles anytime soon.
