Holger Rune has split from coach Boris Becker after less than four months.
It was an outcome that shocked the tennis world, after it finally felt like the 20-year-old had settled on a capable teacher to lead him towards the major titles he craves.
However, the six-time Grand Slam champion admitted that he simply did not have enough time to dedicate to Rune, and only felt it was fair if the two parted ways.
Mark Petchey, though, remains unconvinced.
But what does he think is the weirdest thing about this whole situation? We take a closer look…
What Mark Petchey said about Holger Rune
The pundit and former professional has unsurprisingly been vocal on current events within the world of tennis, having issued a claim to those who continue to lambast Emma Raducanu earlier this month.
But his latest notion is one shrouded in conspiracy, as he details why this Becker-Rune split could have more than meets the eye.
He noted: ‘If you notice this (that the timing was not right), then I say: we would rather separate now than in six months. [The collaboration was] anything but a quick fix. He’s losing coaches quicker than I am losing hair follicles (laughing).
‘I mean I don’t really understand what’s going on here. He does have Kenneth Carlson still in his in his camp, so he still does have a coach at the moment.
‘But one of the weirdest things about the whole thing is that I don’t have enough time to commit to the project, which is what Severin and Boris have both suddenly come out and said.
‘If you’ve ever been in this situation where you’ve gone to coach a player, one of the first conversations you have is how much time you have to give, so I don’t know if everyone’s trying to cover up for another underlying reason which is what it feels like.
‘Severin loved Boris as a player that was one of his favourite players. So it’s seemed like the perfect fit because everyone was going to get on because that’s also, you know what you’re looking to try and guard against is a clash of personalities.
‘Honestly, you can’t have two better people, really, in terms of an IQ for tennis.’
Holger Rune needs stability to realise his potential
Juan Carlos Ferrero began coaching Carlos Alcaraz as a 16-year-old and has led him through the ranks into the superstar he is today.
Jannik Sinner appointed Darren Cahill mid-way through 2022 and has just won his very first Grand Slam in Melbourne last month.
These are two of Rune’s greatest young competitors, and yet they have surpassed the world number seven with ease due to the stability they boast.
It is clear that, with tennis, most of the emphasis is placed on mental strength and focus. That is why the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, who boasted all the physical assets needed to overpower the women’s game, has only recently started dominating now that she has reached a new level of psychology.
So, for the Danish star, it must be tough trying to continue playing throughout all the off-court antics.
With all the talent in the world as a junior, having been ranked number one and turned professional at the age of 16, the potential is clearly there for all to see.
This latest Boris Becker mishap is just a microcosm for years of instability, which he must sort out if he is to retake his position beside Sinner and Alcaraz.
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