Holger Rune says his serious Achilles injury "was not supposed to happen" because all of his tests always showed that he was perfectly healthy, but also adds that he believes it "happened for a reason" and suggests that it will teach him a lesson after he took his talent "for granted."
Rune, who turned 22 in April, created one of the most brutal tennis scenes of the 2025 season when he limped to his chair during a Stockholm match last month. During a physio visit, the 22-year-old Dane said in tears that he "heard something pop in my tendon." After a short examination, the 2022 Paris Masters champion retired and left the court hobbling and in tears.
The following day, Rune confirmed the worst news after revealing that his Achilles was "completely broken" and that he had to undergo surgery.
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I had never had an issue with my ankle before; in fact, I had always been very healthy. I never had problems with inflammations, I always underwent many blood tests, cell analyses, scans, MRIs, etc. Everything was fine concerning my physical condition," the 22-year-old told Hard Court.
Rune: I took my talent for granted...
Rune was just 19 when he upset Novak Djokovic to become a Masters champion in Paris and enter the top-10 for the first time in his career. At the time, the Dane confidently spoke about his goal to attack Grand Slams and the world No. 1 ranking in 2023. But since then, he has only won titles in 2023 Munich and 2025 Barcelona.
I never doubted my love for tennis, but I took my talent for granted. I was sometimes too easy on things, and now I feel the longing, and also look back and see all the stuff I could have and probably should have done differently. Not just practice, because that is where my passion is, but all of the things around itwhat you eat, etc," the Dane admitted.
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Although Rune's recovery is still in its early stages, the Dane is expected to miss at least the first part of 2026.
