Welcome to the latest instalment of Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune’s blog. The 18-year-old won a Junior Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2019 and is making big strides within the professional game. Holger is writing regular pieces for the ITF and providing insight into his tennis journey. Follow his progress here.

Where to begin? So much has happened since my last blog piece, but we must start with the US Open and my first Grand Slam experience as a professional. I have honestly never known anything like it in my career, the Big Apple was just amazing.

In the beginning, we were not sure if I should go to New York and enter qualifying. My coach, Lars, is more “play safe” in terms of goals and since there were no ATP Challenger tournaments before or directly after the US Open, it could have ended up being a short trip.

However, I had really missed being on a hard court and had not been on one since the ITF World Tennis Tour event at Villena in February, so I made a deal with Lars and my mother, Aneke, that if I improved certain areas of my game then we could go.

I accepted the challenge and took it seriously, winning two ATP Challenger events – at San Marino and Verona – in August, which meant we left for the US Open and I was so excited.

It was the first time I had been to the United States since 2019 when I played the US Open Junior Tennis Championships, but I have really good memories of Flushing Meadows even though I did not do well in the junior event.

I loved the atmosphere when I was last there and I was not disappointed this time around as the energy was even better than I remembered. It is the coolest stadium and the people there are so nice.

I had to win three qualifying matches to reach the main draw. None of the matches were going to be easy as we had all come a long way to play and everyone wants to win. It was tough but I made it through to the main draw.

In the final match, against Germany’s Mats Moraing, I was extra nervous and my opponent served like John Isner! At 5-3 in the third set, it started to rain and the match was delayed.

I was worried that Mats would come out after the rain delay and hit fearless winners on all my serves as he had nothing to lose. I talked over various scenarios with my mother and this made me calmer.

I went through my service games in my head, worked out where I’d had most success and went out serving exactly like that and it felt so amazing to qualify for my first Grand Slam.

By now it was late, I had treatment, some food and then went back to the hotel. Lying in bed, I checked my Instagram and someone had messaged me saying that I was playing world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round.

I was speechless and my heart started to beat at what felt like 200mph. It was so crazy. This is a player who I look up to so much. I have trained with him in Monaco and he is not just good, he is exceptional – the complete player.

Luckily, I had three days before my match so I had time to get used to the idea of standing on Arthur Ashe with Djokovic on the other side of the net, not forgetting also that the match would be played in front of a full stadium.

When it came to the match, it was fabulous. Everyone was cheering and people were yelling my name. Initially, I did not know what they were saying, but when I found out they were calling my name, I was so happy and almost felt like Roger on court. In that moment, I was literally surrounded by passionate, happy people – just like myself – and I have goosebumps writing about it now.

It goes without saying that it is not easy playing against Djokovic, and I could do nothing but fight. Even though I think I played fairly well in the first set, I still lost 6-1. I just had to keep going as I didn’t feel as though I played as bad as the scoreline suggested.

I was right. I won the second set 7-6 and what an energy and support that was met with – I absolutely loved it. However, in the third set I had cramps, which I was starting to feel at the end of the second.

It has been a long time since I have had cramps. Earlier this year it was a problem, but we found the right balance between salt and magnesium and the problem was solved.

I think maybe all the tension before the match and just playing Djokovic maybe made the muscles tighten even more. Also, Djokovic plays so close to the lines on every shot, so I had to run so much more in every point than against the players I normally come up against.

I really wanted to take the match to five sets, but this will have to wait for next time. Despite the defeat, I have taken so much from this match and there is so much that I want to improve in my own game now.

I am inspired and I want to improve so much. This is why it is so important to play tournaments like this. I cannot wait to go back to the US Open next year and show the New Yorkers how much I have improved, and I will fight to stay with them as long as possible.

I always say that if you are serious about your goals and if your dreams are not a cliché, then you will put your life and soul into getting where you want to be. This is exactly what I intend to do.

I had a glimpse of heaven in New York, but I am now back on earth and keen to proceed with my development, step by step. I love my tennis, love life and love the journey. Stay cool, everyone.