Grumpy tennis toddler Holger Rune has been told to mind his manners on court by three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka at the Paris Masters.
The Swiss, 37, reprimanded the winner of their first-round match in Paris after the notorious Dane lashed out after being labelled a “baby on the court” after saving three match points to advance at the Bercy arena.
Wawrinka did not hesitate to point out the youngster’s history of bad manners, a case of a homophobic slur at a Challenger, gloating and outright disrespect towards opponents.
The 19-year-old Rune has definitely become an acquired taste on the ATP and has also clashed with other players including world No. 3 and fellow northern European Casper Ruud after a Roland Garros quarter-final in June.
“I don’t know Holger personally, but I have seen on TV that sometimes there can be a lot of drama,” French Open finalist Ruud said.
“He’s young and new, so that’s excusable, but when you’re on a big stage, it might be time to grow up a bit.”
Rune’s stern-faced mother and manager Aneke quickly responded to the mini flare-up: “It’s hard to imagine a gentleman like Stan saying that. If he did, he would prove to be a very sore loser . Holger has only said that he wishes him well in the weeks to come,” she told Danish TV.
Main photo: Surly Holger Rune reprimanded by Stan Wawrinka after Bercy loss Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
