Holger Rune Explains Why Achilles Injury is ‘Slap in the Face’ Which Can Help Him Reach ‘Another Level’

Holger Rune lifted just the Barcelona Open this season by defeating World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.

Holger Rune Explains Why Achilles Injury is ‘Slap in the Face’ Which Can Help Him Reach ‘Another Level’

Holger Rune (Image via X/AllAboutHQ)

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Holger Rune‘s 2025 season ended when he tore his Achilles tendon during the Stockholm Open while he was clashing against eventual runner-up Ugo Humbert in the semifinals. He left the court limping and in tears, knowing the severity of such an injury at this stage of his career.

Rune has successfully undergone surgery and is in the recuperating stage. And for the first time since the injury, he sat for an interview with Hard Court, where, among other things, he said the injury could help him take his career seriously.

We can’t undo what’s done, and now with the injury, maybe this is the slap in the face I needed to make me take my talent seriously and show myself what I am actually capable of doing. I honestly can’t wait to take myself to another level.

Holger Rune said

Rune also made things clear about his career goal. At present, the former World No.4 is at the 15th spot on the rankings table. He wants to be a Top 5 player once again and to have Grand Slam titles to his name.

I have never doubted my love for tennis, but I took my talent for granted. I was sometimes too relaxed about things, and now I feel the longing and also look back and can see all the things I could – and probably should – have done differently. Not just the training, because that is where my passion lies, but everything around it – what you eat and so on. To become top-5 in the world, or even higher, and to win Grand Slams, everything has to be done really consistently.

Holger Rune added

Rune played two finals this year, winning one and losing one. He lost the Indian Wells title to Jack Draper and defeated six-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona Open final.

Holger Rune blames the schedule for his injury

Before the Stockholm Open, Holger Rune said he doesn’t have any problem with the long tennis calendar, calling it “amazing” as it gives opportunities for the players to keep playing. But now, he has formed a different opinion regarding the schedule, blaming fatigue due to non-stop tennis.

Holger Rune
Holger Rune (Image via X/Holger Rune HQ)

The main reason why this injury happened to me is fatigue; I am sure of that. This is a factor that should alarm the entire sports industry.

Holger Rune told Hard Court

Since the horrific injury, the Dane keeps updating fans about his health, sharing his rehabilitation pictures. In his latest Instagram post, he shared a few pictures and clips of his time at the gym working with fitness coach Marco Panichi, as well as a clip of him on the tennis court, where he hit the balls while sitting.

The 22-year-old had a 36-22 win-loss record this season. Rune featured in 22 tournaments this season, including the Davis Cup and Laver Cup.

In the Grand Slam tournaments this year, Rune failed to progress beyond the fourth round. He lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the Australian Open, to Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round of the French Open, to Nicolas Jarry in the first round of Wimbledon, and to Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round of the US Open.

Rune has only one Big Title to his name- the 2022 Paris Masters, which he won by defeating Novak Djokovic. Since then, he lost three times in the Masters 1000 finals (2022 Monte Carlo Masters, 2022 Italian Open, and 2025 Indian Wells Masters). If he recovers completely before the Australian Open, he will be hoping to progress beyond a Major quarterfinal.

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