{"id":42424,"date":"2025-04-21T17:35:29","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T16:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=42424"},"modified":"2025-04-21T17:35:36","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T16:35:36","slug":"childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"Childhood Friends Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz Idolize Two Different Legends of the Sport"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sunday&rsquo;s final at the Barcelona Open featured the Danish Holger Rune in action against home favorite <a href=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/carlos-alcaraz-injury-update-is-carlos-alcarazs-madrid-open-dream-under-jeopardy-after-rumored-injury\/\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> in a match worthy of a final. The first set gave fans plenty to cheer about with explosive groundstrokes from both sides of the net. Despite earning a break to go up 3-2, the Spaniard was unable to hold on to the advantage as Rune came roaring back to even things up and 3-all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>Following a brilliantly contested tiebreak in the opening set that went Rune&rsquo;s way, the Dane found the going much easier in the second set, earning a break to go up 3-2 after Alcaraz put a forehand long at 15-40. There would be no looking back from then as Rune was able to consolidate the break of serve and earned his insurance that all but put the match out of reach.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Eventually, Rune was able to hold on for a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory to claim his first title of the year and make his way back into the top 10. The win must have come as a huge relief for the 21-year-old as this was his first tour title in two years, having last won at the <a href=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/tennis\/\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>BMW Open<\/a> in Munich in 2023.&nbsp;<\/p><p>The head-to-head between the two now stands at 2 apiece with Alcaraz claiming victory in their first-ever meeting in 2021 at the Next Gen ATP Finals. Even though the pair have met only 4 times on court since 2021, the two 21-year-olds go a long way back, having known each other since they were 12 years of age.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\"We've been playing each other since we were 12 years old. Time flies! I am really happy to see us in this position, how far we've come together.\"<br><br>Carlos Alcaraz on his relationship with Holger Rune<br><br>&#129730; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OcHh6C101q\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/OcHh6C101q<\/a><\/p>&mdash; We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WeAreTennis\/status\/1914004676674199861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>April 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alcaraz and Rune&rsquo;s Friendship From Juniors to the Pros&nbsp;<\/h2><p>Two great friends, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune are making waves on the tennis tour. While the Spaniard has already made quite a name for himself, the Dane is now looking to carve out his own piece of history in the tennis world. With his victory at the Barcelona Open final over Alcaraz, Rune proved that he, too, has the heart to be a champion.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Despite their rise on the professional circuit taking different paths, the pair has been friends for a long time having played against and with one another from their days on the junior circuit. As a matter of fact, the two have known each other ever since they were 12-year-olds.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"ca\" dir=\"ltr\">2025 Barcelona final preparations &#128521;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/carlosalcaraz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@carlosalcaraz<\/a> &#128135;&zwj;&#9794;&#65039; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/holgerrune2003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@holgerrune2003<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/CvBKDnVwug\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/CvBKDnVwug<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Tennis TV (@TennisTV) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TennisTV\/status\/1913615645863706800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>April 19, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/holger-rune-channels-inner-novak-djokovic-to-upset-carlos-alcaraz-in-2025-atp-barcelona-open-final\/\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>Holger Rune Channels &lsquo;Inner Novak Djokovic&rsquo; to Upset Carlos Alcaraz in 2025 ATP Barcelona Open Final<\/a><\/strong><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Their Tennis Idols While Growing Up<\/h2><p>Good friends on and off the court, Carlos Alcaraz was born in Spain and grew up idolizing his fellow compatriot and 22-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal. While seeing Alcaraz&rsquo;s play on court, one can&rsquo;t help but notice some similarities between the two aggressive baseliners such as heavy topspin forehands, quickness and ability to cover every inch of the court, as well as physical conditioning and athleticism.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title='World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz on first facing his \"idol\" Rafa Nadal at the Madrid Open in 2021' width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WsugYfhGaBQ?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>On the other hand, Rune, who was born in Denmark, grew up watching and idolizing 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer. During an interview at the 2022 French Open, Rune described how he liked the Swiss Maestro&rsquo;s overall game, including the way he would transition from the baseline to the net, which is quite rare nowadays. He was impressed by how Federer used variation in his game which is something Rune himself wants to try and emulate.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title='Holger Rune \"Roger Federer is my IDOL\" - Roland Garros 2022 (HD)' width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2cQQ-g2fiA8?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/2025-stuttgart-open-victory-and-new-porsche-keys-jelena-ostapenko-takes-down-world-number-1-aryna-sabalenka\/\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>2025 Stuttgart Open Victory and new Porsche Keys- Jelena Ostapenko takes down World Number 1 Aryna Sabalenka!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"mm-layout mm-layout-type-post mm-layout-slot4\">\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two friends, different idols, one final!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":42617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_mux_skip_reasons":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[4770],"tags":[5797,4948,5469,4936],"class_list":["post-42424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennis","tag-barcelona-open","tag-carlos-alcaraz","tag-holger-rune","tag-tennis"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Childhood Friends Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz Idolize Two Different Legends of the Sport - The Playoffs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The 2025 Barcelona Open final matchup between Alcaraz and Rune saw two friends battle it out. 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Find out more about their friendship.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Playoffs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-21T17:35:36+01:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Barcelona-Open-2025-Finalists-Childhood-Friends-Holger-Rune-and-Carlos-Alcaraz-Idolize-Two-Different-Legends-of-the-Sport.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1840\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1346\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Devavrat Kulkarni\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@devakul\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ThePlayoffsEN\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Devavrat Kulkarni\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Devavrat Kulkarni\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/cd75a66ec52f94bc82a4c87db11b418e\"},\"headline\":\"Childhood Friends Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz Idolize Two Different Legends of the Sport\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-21T16:35:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-21T16:35:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/\"},\"wordCount\":616,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.theplayoffs.news\/en\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Barcelona-Open-2025-Finalists-Childhood-Friends-Holger-Rune-and-Carlos-Alcaraz-Idolize-Two-Different-Legends-of-the-Sport.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Barcelona Open\",\"Carlos Alcaraz\",\"Holger Rune\",\"Tennis\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Tennis\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/\",\"name\":\"Childhood Friends Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz Idolize Two Different Legends of the Sport - The Playoffs\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/childhood-friends-holger-rune-and-carlos-alcaraz-idolize-two-different-legends-of-the-sport\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.theplayoffs.news\/en\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Barcelona-Open-2025-Finalists-Childhood-Friends-Holger-Rune-and-Carlos-Alcaraz-Idolize-Two-Different-Legends-of-the-Sport.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-21T16:35:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-21T16:35:36+00:00\",\"description\":\"The 2025 Barcelona Open final matchup between Alcaraz and Rune saw two friends battle it out. 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