"My mum gave me tickets for Christmas" - Holger Rune reveals missed opportunity to watch Roger Federer as he revisits Rotterdam memory from 2013

Holger Rune is competing in the Rotterdam Open and has progressed to the Round of 16, but he recently revisited his memory of the 2013 edition of the tournament when he visited to watch Roger Federer play.

The Danish tennis sensation revealed that he was in Rotterdam with his whole family exactly a decade ago, hoping to see then-defending champion and tennis legend Roger Federer in action. Holger Rune revealed that his mother gifted him the tickets to the tournament as a Christmas present.

“So exactly ten years ago, I was here watching as a fan with the whole family. I remember, my mum gave me the tickets for a Christmas present and it was actually to come and watch Roger (Federer),” Holger Rune recalled in conversation with TennisTV.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be for Rune, as first seed Roger Federer faced a surprise defeat to unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the quarterfinals in Rotterdam.

Despite the missed opportunity to watch Roger Federer, the World No. 9 revealed that he attended the event anyway, and was able to enjoy “some great tennis.”

“Unfortunately, he lost in the quarterfinal. But I went anyway and watched some great tennis. So, it’s a good memory to have,” the reigning Paris Masters champion remarked.

Juan Martin del Potro won the 2013 Rotterdam Open after defeating Benneteau in the final.

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“Some people came to watch I remember, and now I’m here playing” - Holger Rune on sneaking onto the tennis court in 2013 and officially playing in Rotterdam in 2023

Holger Rune is through to the round of 16 in Rotterdam

Holger Rune may have visited the 2013 Rotterdam Open to watch Roger Federer, but the passionate tennis player couldn’t help himself when he came across an empty court. The 19-year-old revealed that he sneaked onto the tennis court with his father to hit some balls when no one was practicing.

"The plan was just to come and watch, but I saw that there was a court that was free and open. So, I quickly said to my sister, like, ‘let’s go play’ and my sister was like, 'No, we can’t'," he said.

"So, my father went with me and played on the court," Rune continued. “It was I think a basket with balls that someone had left and nobody was using the court, so we were playing, having fun.”

Rune further reminisced about the memory of a few spectators watching him play as a nine-year-old, and fondly acknowledged his change of fortune as he made his debut as a professional at the tournament in 2023.

“Actually, some people came to watch, I remember. And now I’m here playing. So, it’s good,” he said.

Holger Rune successfully dismissed his opening round opponent - France’s Constant Lestienne in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. The fourth seed will now lock horns with home-hope Gijs Brouwer for a spot in the Round of 16.