Rune kicks off over US Open schedule with Novak Djokovic to headline main stage

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Holger Rune has complained about being placed on Court 5 for his US Open clash with Roberto Carballes Baena. Rune has been placed on one of the smaller courts despite starting the tournament as the fourth seed. 

The young Dane will be seed No 4 for the first time in his career at Flushing Meadows. However, he has taken a dig at the tournament’s organisers for placing him on a smaller court than someone of his ranking might expect. 

Rune sarcastically took to social media to inform fans of his opening match. The 20-year-old tweeted a map of Flushing Meadows and told fans to locate Court 5 if they wished to watch him in action. 

“US Open site map,” Rune tweeted alongside a photo of the map. “In case you can find court 5, this is where I play my first match Monday followed by 11:00.”

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Rune might be correct to feel slightly aggrieved. Several lower-ranked stars have been placed on the show courts ahead of the first day of the US Open. 

Americans Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz and Christopher Eubanks are all ranked below Rune but will play on Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong and the Grandstand, respectively. There was also preferential treatment for Alexander Bublik and Stefanos Tsitsipas. 

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic will begin on Arthur Ashe on Monday, playing against Frenchman Alexandre Muller. On Tuesday, Carlos Alcaraz begins the defence of his US Open title on Arthur Ashe against Dominik Koepfer. 

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Rune believes Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is in a league of his own compared to other members of tennis’ next generation. He said ahead of the tournament: “I know and I heard people talk about it [but] I think it’s too early to say, only one of us has won Grand Slams and that’s Carlos, but yeah I mean we’re young of course, we have time on our side. 

“But still we got to get the results. I know I have to focus on myself and I’m sure Jannik, I’m sure Alcaraz does that and [each has to] follow their own journey. It’s a good debate for tennis.”

Pressed on what makes Alcaraz stand out, he added: “I think the energy he brings to the court is hard to match and he has a big variation to his game, it’s not just one shot, it’s the whole game is able to mix it up a lot when he needs to and make it uncomfortable for the opponent. Not many players do that these days so it is definitely a big advantage.”

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