By offering his first Masters 1000 against the former world No.1 and six-time winner in the Bercy hall, the Scandinavian becomes the youngest winner of the Parisian tournament for 36 years and Boris Becker, who was 18 when his title in 1986. Still beyond the top 100 at the start of 2022, he will invite himself to the top 10 in the ATP rankings on Monday: a first for a Danish player (Caroline Wozniacki was world No.1).

"It's going to be my favorite tournament now," he smiled, his eyes shining, as he shuffled from one leg to the other on the court, microphone in hand.

To illustrate this duel between generations, a date is enough: Rune was born the year Djokovic turned professional, in 2003.

"I need to reaffirm that I am still there with the young players, that I am able to compete with them", affirmed the day before the Serb with 21 Grand Slam trophies after his victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th).

Holger Rune lies down on the court after beating Novak Djokovic in the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 final on November 6, 2022 in Paris JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

But it was the blond kid from Gentofte, with a fiery temperament and daring and powerful tennis, very skilful at the net, who struck a blow on Sunday.

Djokovic trapped in the net

With what character!

The last game, endless and unbreathable, is enough to show what wood he is made of: as robust as his voice is still thin.

Serving to win the tournament, Rune dismissed six equalizing balls at 6-6 before concluding on his second match point.

Before that, he hadn't let his chance slip away when Djokovic, who had control of the game when he led 0-40 on the Dane's serve just after pocketing the first set, opened the door for him.

And he kept his nerves strong as the 35-year-old Serb took a 3-1 lead in the deciding set.

Novak Djokovic congratulates Holger Rune, his winner in the final of the Masters 1000 of Paruis-Bercy on November 6, 2022 in Paris Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

Once in the game, Rune impressed on serve, held his back against "Djoko", which is saying something, and, on many occasions, was able to draw him to the net to better get him there. trap.

Why does its success give more substance to the current renewal that world tennis is experiencing?

Obviously because it comes at the expense of Djokovic, a member of the prestigious "Big 3" and remained world No.1 longer than anyone.

Also because Rune becomes the fifth different player to win his first Masters 1000 in 2022 - four of them are at most 25 years old (along with Alcaraz, Fritz and Coric) -.

5 days, 5 top 10

Advised for a few weeks by Patrick Mouratoglou, "Holgy" had a dream week in Paris.

Since fending off three match points in the first round against Stan Wawrinka, he's knocked out five top-10 players in five days: Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Alcaraz (who retired injured), Félix Auger-Aliassime, and Djokovic .

Holger Rune during the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 final against Novak Djokovic on November 6, 2022 in Paris Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP

A first (excluding Masters) in ATP statistics compiled since 1973.

Last reward: his crazy week allows him to become the first substitute for the end-of-season Masters in Turin (November 13-20).

"He reminds me a bit of myself (young), a solid backhand, a very good defense, and competitive on all points, putting all his heart and all his strength into it", said Djokovic before facing him.

He paid for it on Sunday.

For the Serb, this defeat marks the end of the series: he had not lost on the circuit – when he was able to play – since Roland-Garros (semi-final against Nadal).

Before being deprived of the American summer season for lack of a vaccine against Covid-19, he won at Wimbledon.

After, in Tel Aviv and Astana in September.

That is twenty victories in a row until Sunday.

Novak Djokovic in the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 final against Holger Rune on November 6, 2022 in Paris JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

However, it is he who will be the main favorite of the Turin Masters in a week.

Even against the young guard.

© 2022 AFP