Rune will face hostile atmosphere against Kecmanovic with arena full of Serbian immigrants

Holger Rune could find himself in the midst of a hostile atmosphere when he on Saturday morning faces the Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in the third round of the Australian Open.

The 21-year old Dane has looked in fine form at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, perhaps especially when he knocked out the hard-serving Italian Matteo Berrettini in the second round. 

However, against Kecmanovic Holger Rune will not only face an opponent who makes very mistakes from the forehand and backhand but also enjoys immense support from a crowd with many relations to the Balkan nation. 

Different reasons like financial instability and war have throughout history paved the way for many ex-Yugoslav immigrants immigrating to Australia in search of a better life. 

Although migration has been reduced during the last decade, the Serbian community in Australia maintains their cultural ties through the support of various Serbian clubs, sporting clubs, associations and attending Serbian Orthodox churches. In 2021 municipal figures established that around 100.000 Serbs today resides in Australia, many of them in Melbourne where Australian Open takes place.

On that background its not difficult to comprehend that Kecmanovic has felt right at home at the Grand Slam tournament.

“I love being here, there’s so many Serbian people and they always show up,” the 24-year-old said after having booked his place in the third round of Australian Open 2024 after a hard-fought victory over Jan-Lennard Struff on Thursday.  

“It always feels like you are home.” 

In his six Australian Open main-draw campaigns, Kecmanovic, who at the age of 13 relocated from Belgrade to Florida, in the United States, has steadily built on that affinity.

In 2022, he recorded his best Grand Slam showing as he defeated higher-ranked opponents in Lorenzo Sonego and Tommy Paul to reach the tournament’s final 16.

Rune has met Kecmanovic twice before. Both matches took place at the end of 2023, when they both won once on indoor hard court.

The match Saturday will take place on Margaret Court Arena and will start around 11.00 AM CET. 

The winner of the match can in all probability look forward to a meeting with world No 1, Jannik Sinner, in the fourth round.