Casper Ruud Blames ‘Tough Schedule’ After Holger Rune Suffers ‘Unfortunate’ Achilles Tendon Injury: “It’s Very Demanding”

Holger Rune‘s campaign in Stockholm ended in a complete disaster. The 22-year-old was bidding to win his second title of the season when, while returning a shot from the back of the court against Ugo Humbert, he heard his Achilles tendon pop.

The score was locked at 2-2 in the second set after Rune’s 6-4 win in the first set. Rune first limped off toward his chair and started to cry as he received treatment. He eventually threw in the towel and limped off the court. Had he won, he would have scheduled the final against fellow Scandinavian player Casper Ruud.

The Norwegian, after knocking out Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4, was asked about Rune’s injury by SpilXperten. Ruud wished his rival a speedy recovery and suggested that the frequent injuries that players are dealing with could have stemmed from the “tough schedule“.

I think tennis has now reached a point where everything moves so fast, and you have to be physically ready for every single match. I’m not saying it wasn’t physical in the past, but I’m sometimes a bit surprised by how much it takes from your body to be able to play tennis. It’s very demanding when you go straight from tournament to tournament.

Casper Ruud said

Rune has become the latest player to withdraw from a tournament because of an injury or simply needing a break. WTA aces Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, and Paula Badosa have ended their season without dealing with any injury issues.

Jack Draper has been on the sidelines since the US Open, nursing an arm injury, and he, like Ruud, criticized the 11-month ATP calendar for players’ injuries. Iga Swiatek wants more time between tournaments for practice, while Carlos Alcaraz last year said the schedule is “going to kill us in some way“.

Of course, it’s tough, and we’re really pushing our own limits to the maximum at the moment. Holger was one of those who still had a chance to make it to the ATP Finals, so his limit was definitely pushed too, and then it’s just really unfortunate that it ends this way for him.

Casper Ruud added

The Dane has so far won only the Barcelona Open by beating Alcaraz. He also reached the final of the Indian Wells Masters, losing to Draper.

Casper Ruud plans to skip tournaments next year

Casper Ruud has scheduled the Stockholm final match against Ugo Humbert. After Stockholm, his next destination will be Basel for the Swiss Indoors, an ATP 500 tournament. Holger Rune was also scheduled to play, but the injury forced him to withdraw.

Before his campaign in Stockholm, Ruud talked about the ups and downs he dealt with this season, including his knee injury that forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon and Novak Djokovic‘s take on the schedule and lack of unity among players. While commenting on the calendar, the 26-year-old said he is not a fan of playing a mandatory tournament (Paris Masters) toward the end of the season.

To have a mandatory event like Paris that late in the season makes the season really, really long. It’s the same for everyone, but going forward, I will plan the schedule a bit differently, maybe skipping a few events here and there.

Casper Ruud told BolaVip

Ruud will lock horns with Jiri Lehecka in the first round of the Swiss Indoors. So far this season, the three-time Grand Slam finalist has clinched just the Madrid Open by beating Jack Draper. He also reached the final of the Dallas Open but failed to go past Denis Shapovalov. After Basel, Ruud will be playing the Paris Masters, scheduled to start on October 27.

Also read: Novak Djokovic Admits his 2025 Season has not Been Fully Satisfying

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