Holger Rune: Some Players Prefer Laver Cup to Grand Slams

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Photo credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography

Holger Rune will make his Laver Cup debut this weekend in San Francisco.

The 11th-ranked Dane has already made a bold claim about the team competition’s popularity with players.

Rune says some stars tell him they prefer playing Laver Cup to Grand Slams because it’s more fun.

“[I’ve] talked to many of the players and they say it’s one of the most fun events to play in, a great event,” Rune told LaverCup.com in an exclusive interview.

“[For] many of them, it’s their favorite event — even more than the Grand Slams.

“I have high expectations, but most of all I’m just going to really enjoy it.”

Rune, coming off a controversial Davis Cup defeat in Spain where he declined to shake hands with the chair umpire, said the Laver Cup team format is appealing.

“It’s not that often we get to play as a team, so I think that’s super cool,” Rune said. “I think I [will] really thrive in this environment. I can’t wait to play.

“My plan [is] to bring a lot of energy and intensity.”

The 22-year-old Rune said he’s looking forward to reprising his doubles partnership with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The pair previously played doubles together during their junior days.

“Has to be Carlos,” Rune said of a Laver Cup doubles partner. “That could be pretty iconic to relive that moment again.

 “Those [were] good memories and obviously we played each other many times, where we’re on the opposite side of the net, so now we can finally try to be on the same side, which is going to be pretty cool.”

Richard Pagliaro is Tennis Now Managing Editor. He is a graduate of New York University and has covered pro tennis for more than 35 years. Richard was tennis columnist for Gannett Newspapers in NY, served as Managing Editor for TennisWeek.com and worked as a writer/editor for Tennis.com. He has been TennisNow.com managing editor since 2010.

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