Among the varied interests that help August Holmgren offset the pressures of tennis is a passion for reading. Fantasy novels are a particular favourite for the 27-year-old, and he was recently absorbed in a novel set in Middle Ages Denmark. “It follows a guy through a journey,” he explained.
Holmgren has embarked on quite the fantasy journey of his own at the All England Club this year.
Having never won a Tour-level main draw match before this year’s Championships, the world No.192 has now claimed two successive victories and takes on No.11 seed Alex de Minaur in the third round.
On the brink of defeat in the third round of the Qualifying Competition, the Dane saved three match points against Yosuke Watanuke to eke out a 6-4, 6-7(2), 3-6, 7-6(11), 7-6(7) win.
Holmgren then defeated Quentin Halys in his Grand Slam main draw debut.
He followed that up, in the biggest match of his career so far, with a victory over the No.21 seed Tomas Machac, who is ranked more than 160 places higher than the Dane.
In a high-intensity battle spanning more than four-and-a-half hours, he saved a trio
of match points from 0-40 down on serve late in the fourth set.
“I felt very confident. In the fifth set, I felt very strong,” said Holmgren, explaining he told himself to “hit harder” as the stakes rose in his eventual 7-6(5), 6-7(8), 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5) victory. “I think I hit the hardest serve of the match in the match tie-break in the fifth.”
If it seems an unlikely success story to a casual observer, Holmgren is merely “happily
surprised” by his progress in SW19. “There's always fine margins in tennis,” he said.
“I always back myself [and] never play a tournament with the expectation to lose.”
I never tried to copy anyone - especially Roger because it’s impossible.
The ability to thrive on a big stage is perhaps helped by five years spent at the University of San Diego, where Holmgren became the top-ranked US college player in 2021 while also earning a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and performance studies.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of similarities about being present in the moment and challenging myself to explore uncomfortable situations,” said Holmgren, when asked how the theatrical interests supported his on-court development.
“But mainly, what that is for me, is a great fun thing to be interested in besides
tennis,” he said. “To create some balance in my life.”
Other fun things for Holmgren include spending as much time as possible with his tight-knit family – including parents Allan and Anette (who are both psychologists) along with siblings Nikolaj, Nina and Alberte, not to mention his nephew and cousin, who have each supported him at various stages of The Championships.
Holmgren also enjoys a “little bit of guitar” and when he is “in cool places that allow for it”, he loves to go surfing.
For now, however, the focus is entirely on a Wimbledon campaign in which Holmgren
has showcased both his entertaining intensity and a rare single-handed backhand that
he refused to change despite a coach’s insistence he do so at the age of seven.
While he grew up idolising Roger Federer, the Espergaerde native points out that “I never tried to copy anyone, [and] especially Roger because it’s impossible.” The backhand, he says, is modelled on his father’s.
Recent inspiration has come from the success of other Danish players, including Frederik Nielsen (who lifted the 2012 Wimbledon doubles trophy with Brit Jonathan Marray) and former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki.
Despite the five-year age gap, world No.8 Holger Rune has also made a positive impact
in their time as Davis Cup teammates. “It’s always a joy to have him on the team and
be around him,” Holmgren said. “Last year, I asked him for advice after I had a tough
period and he sent me such a nice message.”
Not that the level-headed Holmgren appears to require much guidance. Having competed largely on lower-level tours, Holmgren is maintaining a helpful perspective at Wimbledon.
“I try to think of the grandness of being at Wimbledon as an outside thing because essentially the tennis is the tennis.” he said. “Of course the level gets higher but it doesn’t change from the Futures Tour to the Challenger Tour, to the ATP Tour.”
And yet opportunities are expanding for Holmgren. In the bigger picture, he’s delighted that his Wimbledon success will almost certainly improve his ranking enough to gain entry into US and Australian Open qualifying events.
For now, Holmgren remains focused on Saturday’s match against the Australian De Minaur, with a place in the last 16 on the line. “It’s a big moment for me but we’re still in the tournament,” said Holmgren. “It’s way too early too early to celebrate ... my job is to prepare the best I can for that match.”