Rune Leans On Big 3 To Build His Perfect Player

Holger Rune has played his fair share of perfect tennis in rising to No. 6 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings at age 20. But what shots and skills would he choose to make the perfect player?

The Dane sat down with ATP Uncovered to map out his picks, going stroke by stroke and beyond.

Rune has won his past two matches against Novak Djokovic, including in the Rolex Paris Masters final last season, but he still selected the Serbian in four categories: backhand, return, flexibility and backhand drop shot.

"I like [his backhand] because it's so simple," Rune said. "And the way he changes direction, he does it like no other player."

The only player to appear more often in Rune's picks was one he has never faced on the ATP Tour: Roger Federer. The Swiss was named five times, chosen for his slice, volley, touch, forehand drop shot and celebrations. Rounding out the Big 3, Rafael Nadal was Rune's pick for mental toughness and competitiveness.

Also featuring in Rune's perfect player were Fernando Gonzalez (forehand), Nick Kyrgios (serve), Carlos Alcaraz (movement) and Daniil Medvedev (stamina). Rune backed himself for speed.