The eighth edition of the Laver Cup is almost here. As for the fans, they’re looking forward to this most popular and awaited star-studded extravaganza since its inception in 2017. Mostly due to its format of featuring the best ATP players in the world. This year, the Laver Cup is slated to go down in San Francisco. Who wouldn’t want to witness the racket entertainment from the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur, and Taylor Fritz in one place? For some, the pride of representing either Team Europe or Team World has become equivalent to the intensity of winning at Grand Slams. For Holger Rune, at-least, this holds true.

Holger Rune is all set to make his Laver Cup debut, two years later than planned, however. In 2023, the Danish pro was forced to withdraw his participation due to an injury. Now that he’s ready to play for Team Europe, Rune is absolutely excited about making an appearance in the upcoming edition, starting from September 19.

While he is on cloud nine with anticipation, Rune also shares the sentiments of others who have played prior to him in this exclusive event. As per Rune, it appears the Laver Cup has elevated itself in terms of importance, “(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.” The Danish pro revealed that “(For) many of them,” including Stefanos Tsitsipas and Zverev, “it’s their favorite event — even more than the Grand Slams.”

But how does Rune feel about playing in a squad? “I have high expectations, but most of all I’m just going to really enjoy it,” while further adding, “It’s not that often we get to play as a team, so I think that’s super cool.”

“I think I (will) really thrive in this environment. I can’t wait to play,” he emphasized. “My plan (is) to bring a lot of energy and intensity.” Rune’s Team Europe, captained by former French pro Yannick Noah, will take on 8-time slam king and ex-ATP icon Andre Agassi’s Team World for a duration of three days at the Chase Centre. Additionally, Rune also revealed his feelings about reuniting with a longtime tennis buddy who wouldn’t be across the net this time.

Holger Rune on playing for Team Europe with Carlos Alcaraz

The 22-year-old, six-time slam champion, Carlos Alcaraz, who recently emerged as the king of New York, will be competing alongside Holger Rune. For the uninitiated, Rune and Alcaraz have known each other since their junior days. They played doubles together before thriving in their respective singles careers.

Rune hopes that for the Laver Cup, too, Noah will pair them up. When asked to pick a doubles partner, the Danish pro, in an instant, replied, “Has to be Carlos,” while adding, “That could be pretty iconic to relive that moment again.”

Back in 2017, they both made it to the semis of a prestigious juniors tournament called Les Petit As while playing together. “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.”

Interestingly, Rune is also one of the few players (apart from Jannik Sinner) who bested Alcaraz in singles this season. Back in April, he clinched the Barcelona Open title after defeating the Spaniard in straight sets.

So far, Team Europe has won the Laver Cup five times, compared to Team World’s two wins. It will be intriguing to see whether it will clinch a sixth trophy with the help of renowned names like Alcaraz, now joined by Rune.