![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/5091857.jpg?r=1701279074867\")
<\/p>\nTaylor Fritz has leapt to the defence of rival Holger Rune after the Danish star was criticised for his apparent ‘cockiness’. World No. 8 Rune is one of a trio of young rising tennis players who are being tipped to eventually overhaul the modern-day greats Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.<\/p>\n
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and Italian Jannik Sinner are the other two highly-rated youngsters but it is the temperament of Rune that has been called into question, after run-ins with Stan Wawrinka and Casper Rudd.<\/p>\n
Swiss favourite Wawrinka accused Rune of \u201cacting like a baby on court\u201d following defeat to the Dane at the Paris Masters in 2022.<\/p>\n
And during last year’s French Open Rune slammed Rudd for allegedly shouting in his face. A claim that was refuted by Rudd’s father as a “pure lie”.<\/p>\n
But top US player Fritz, who is making his own challenge to trouble the top end of the world rankings, did not see a problem with Rune’s approach.<\/p>\n
Speaking on a Twitch stream, Fritz said: \u201cI like Holger, I\u2019ve never had any issues with Holger, we played doubles. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any issues.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he has big expectations and big ambitions, and I think people mistake someone saying that they want to be [a member of] the next Big Three, when you say you want to do all these great things, and people then mistake that for cockiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut like, so what? I don\u2019t think people understand, if you want to be successful, you need to actually believe it and you have to have some of that arrogance and confidence to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rune showed his class to defeat Novak Djokovic in the final of the Paris Masters last year to land his first ATP Masters 1000 title.<\/p>\n
When asked about his apparent cockiness during an interview with Tennis Majors earlier this year, he said: \u201cI would not say that I am cocky. I am very down to earth. On the court I am different than outside the court.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong>
Richest tennis star Pegula hits back at commitment questions and drops NFL hint[REACTION] <\/strong>
Boris Becker laid out brutal requirement to take Holger Rune coaching role[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Tiger Woods issues plea to tennis fans ahead of Rafael Nadal farewell tour[REQUEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n\n