'Good things coming': Holger Rune comforts Botic van de Zandschulp after Munich heartbreak

WATCH: Holger Rune earned a dramatic title defense in Munich, saving four championship points before defeating Botic van de Zandschulp.

The most dramatic ATP singles final of the 2023 to date saw one of the season's most uplifting moments of sportsmanship in its aftermath.

Danish teenager Holger Rune saved four championship points, and battled past a pair of physical ailments, to defeat Botic van de Zandschulp in the final of the BMW Open—and afterwards, he offered authentic words of comfort to his Dutch rival on social media.

Sunday's 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(3) final was actually the second time the two played with Munich's trophy on the line: Twelve months ago, van de Zandschulp retired after seven games played to hand Rune his first career ATP singles title. A year later, the Dutchman was much closer to his own maiden trophy, as he served for the match three times and was a point away from victory four times in the final set: twice serving at 5-2, and twice more serving at 6-5.

Ultimately, Rune overcame a right arm injury, a twisted ankle, and van de Zandschulp to win in 2 hours, 52 minutes. As the dust cleared, the Dutchman took to Twitter to express his disappointment, stating simply: "This one hurts."

Among the many tennis fans who flooded the Dutchman's replies to lift his spirits? Rune himself. The Dane offered kind words to the beaten finalist, and commiserated about just how tough their sport can be. Just last week, he noted, he lost to Andrey Rublev in the final of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 from 4-1 up in the final set.

"Man [I] know," Rune replied. "I was there last week up almost 5-1 in the final and loosing [sic] in Monaco. Good things coming. You play incredibly."

Repeating in Munich a few hours before Carlos Alcaraz also went back-to-back in Barcelona, Rune had the distinction of being the first ATP player to defend a singles title in 2023. He's now 9-0 at the ATP 250 event in his career, and owns four career singles titles.

"I was feeling really exhausted but I was fighting until the end and I tried everything I could to come back into the match," Rune said. "I think for the crowd it was the perfect final. We really pushed each other to the limit and I am super happy I defended the title today."