Ex-WTA Pro Defends Podcast Disclosing Holger Rune’s Flirting Attempt with Married Veronika Kudermetova: “Good Lesson for Him to Be More Careful”
Two WTA players revealed last year that Holger Rune tried to flirt with them but faced rejection.
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Veronika Kudermetova, Holger Rune (Image via Instagram/Veronika Kudermetova, X/Holger Rune HQ)
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Veronika Kudermetova revealed during her interview with Tatar Russia that she instructed her former doubles partner, Elena Vesnina, to exclude the Holger Rune gossip from her podcast, Spring is Calling, last year. But Vesnina has now denied being told the same.
During her interview with Tennis.com, the former doubles No.1 backed the revelation of Rune sliding into Kudermetova’s DM. Kudermetova told the 22-year-old about her marital status, following which, Rune stopped his romantic advances.
My interview with Veronika was one of the first I had done for my podcast last year. I would have never posted anything that my guest had a problem with or asked for me to remove, nor would my production team have put it on the air.
Elena Vesnina said
Kudermetova was “ashamed” of making Rune a gossip material of the tennis town and “really wanted to apologize” for the same. But Vesnina believes the Dane has learnt his lesson.
We discussed the comments with her straightaway after the interview, and she didn’t tell us there was anything we couldn’t publish. But this situation has gotten out of control. For me, it was not necessary to bring so much attention to this situation.
Elena Vesnina said
After the Kudermetova-Rune story, WTA ace and Jannik Sinner‘s ex-girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya also shared an anecdote of her ignoring Rune’s messages. Kalinskaya’s comments drew a reaction from Rune, who defended himself, saying all he did was react to her posts and did not intend to ask her on a date.
Veronika is not the only player to have told a story like this. I think we’ve all learned something from this. When it comes to Holger, I think it was a good lesson for him to be more careful.
Elena Vesnina added
Rune was also linked with Sinner’s girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, the Danish model who has been dating the World No.2 since mid-2025. The rumors started after Hasanovic was spotted at Rune’s match. Hasanovic later rubbished such reports.
Kudermetova has been married to tennis coach and former player Sergei Demekhine since 2017. Rune is dating model and real estate agent Caroline Donzella, but it’s uncertain whether the two are still in a relationship.
Holger Rune shares his goal for the 2026 season
Holger Rune hasn’t yet played a tournament since last year’s Stockholm Open. During his semifinal match against Ugo Humbert, Rune tore his Achilles tendon and limped off the court in tears.
He successfully underwent surgery and is in the rehabilitation stage. Rune recently sat in for an interview with Marca, during which he talked about his next goal.
My goal is to walk normally, without a limp. It requires a bit more calf strength than I have now, but it’s coming quickly; I feel better every day. The other goal is to gain overall strength and gradually prepare for February 12th, which will be four months after surgery, and that’s the next step. My goal is to be able to move around the court and look like a tennis player.
He is expected to miss the majority of the 2026 season. Last year, Rune reached two finals, lifting the title at the Barcelona Open by defeating World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz. Prior to this, he made the final of the Indian Wells Masters but failed to go past Jack Draper. Rune, a former World No.4, finished the season in the 15th spot in the rankings table.
Rune has just one Big Title to his name. Back in 2022, he reached his career’s first Masters 1000 final at the Paris Masters and upset Novak Djokovic. Since then, he has reached three Masters 1000 finals, losing all.
Also read: Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Tears Into Taylor Fritz After United Cup Loss
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