I Will Survive: Musical act takes center stage as Holger Rune patiently awaits Barcelona trophy

The Dane returned to the winners' circle for the first time since April 2023.

By Baseline StaffPublished April 20, 2025

Denmark's Holger Rune celebrates winning against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Barcelona Open "Conde de Godo" tennis tournament singles final match at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona, on April 20, 2025. Rune won 7-6 6-2. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO / AFP) (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images) — © AFP or licensors

Holger Rune patiently waited two years for a return to the winners’ circle.

On Sunday, he was made to wait a tad bit longer after closing out an impressive win over top seed Carlos Alcaraz. For the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell had one more performance to stage.

After Rune defeated the home favorite, 7-6 (6), 6-2, for his first trophy since April 2023 (Munich), Pista Rafael Nadal was overtaken for a musical number.

A trophy ceremony, or concert? Barcelona Open pulls out all the stops4:38

Read: Rune ends Alcaraz's clay-court winning streak

We’re admittedly not sure of the song’s connections to each other, or the tournament for that matter. But a male-female duo opened with "You’ve Got A Friend", mixed in the likes of "I Will Survive" and "Happy" as "Who Wants To Live Forever" proved to be the act's grand finale. Every tune was performed in English.

Rune, who is six days older than Alcaraz and turns 22 on April 29, improved to 2-1 in tour-level contests with the Spaniard. Alcaraz saw his eight-match unbeaten run ended, following his Monte Carlo triumph.