Carlos Alcaraz appears in the press room
Carlos Alcaraz picked his young rival Holger Rune when asked to name the biggest trash talker on tour in an entertaining video released by the ATP.
The Spanish superstar dismantled tennis legend Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the 2024 Wimbledon final last week to defend his crown at the All England Club.
Alcaraz has established himself as the leading player of his generation by becoming the third youngest man to win four Grand Slam titles in the Open Era after Mats Wilander and Bjorn Borg.
The 21-year-old won his maiden French Open title prior to Wimbledon this year, making him the youngest man to complete the ‘Channel Double.’
Alcaraz’s primary rival is current world No 1 Jannik Sinner, who secured his first Major title at the Australian Open in January and has had a superb 2024 season to date. The Spaniard has won five of his nine matches against the 22-year-old Italian.
Rune is a player who has displayed signs of having the talent and potential to become a major force, although he has not yet hit the heights reached by Alcaraz or Sinner.
The 21-year-old Dane is currently ranked 17th, having been as high as world No 4 last year. Rune and Alcaraz have met just twice at main tour level, with the head-to-head split at 1-1.
In a Q&A interview with YouTuber Sharky for the ATP Tour, Alcaraz did not hesitate to name Rune as the “biggest trash talker” in the men’s game.
“Rune. Sorry, sorry but that’s what I thought, that’s what I thought (smiling),” replied the Spaniard.
Are you ready for some 🔥? Because Sharky and Carlitos are bringing the heat with this one… 🌶️
Honest answers only 👊@ohnosharky x @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/cXIUdgdcd9
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 19, 2024
Former Wimbledon doubles winner Frederik Nielsen recently defended Rune from criticism of his temperament and behaviour.
“When I was that age, I was far worse than Rune is. The same was true for both my teammates and opponents,” the Dane said in an interview last month.
“It might just look a bit more intense because there aren’t many like him, and because there’s a camera on him 24 hours a day. I never really thought it was that bad.
“He’s young, and to me, it’s just a signal of how much he wants it. He shouldn’t get rid of it completely, but he will probably figure out more and more when it is constructive and when it doesn’t help him as much.
“It’s hard to understand how much there constantly is. I’ve seen it when we’re at Davis Cup, where he can’t even warm up before a match.
“He can’t even be in the gym without some of the accredited people coming up to talk to him, and that’s from people who should understand the situation but still come and bother him.
“They pull and tug at him everywhere, so you have to ask them to give him some peace. [Rune’s mother] Aneke is also not someone who lets herself be pushed around. She fights those battles on her son’s behalf, and I think that’s really important for him.”
