Holger Rune Cites Lack of Discipline to Explain Why Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are Ahead of Him: “Main Difference Was Consistency”

Holger Rune underwent surgery four days after injuring his Achilles tendon during the semifinal of the Stockholm Open. He is now in the rehabilitation stage.

The career-threatening injury has taught him a lesson because he thinks it will make him a more disciplined player. Rune thinks the reason why he couldn’t reach the level Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are at the moment is because he was not taking his talent seriously.

During his recent interview with Marca, the Dane explained the difference between him, Sinner, and Alcaraz. What has made Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Alcaraz, and Sinner the formidable forces is consistency, which Rune said he lacked when he was a newcomer.

Before the injury, the main difference was consistency. Novak, Rafa, and Roger were able to do what they do consistently throughout the entire season. This isn’t a skill you’re born with; it’s not talent, it’s discipline! Years ago, I was ahead of Carlos and Jannik for a while, but I wasn’t consistent, and I lost that advantage.

Rune has played 11 singles finals in his career, winning five titles. Alcaraz is the winner of 24 titles, has won 32 finals, while Sinner’s trophy tally is also the same, but he has played 33 finals.

I was everywhere, I was young, perhaps my natural development was to go through this, and they became more and more disciplined. Now it’s up to me to adjust my discipline, and the injury is a good start. You don’t get through rehabilitation without discipline, day after day.

Holger Rune added

The World No.1 and the World No.2 dominated in Majors as well as on the tour since the 2024 season, having won the last eight Grand Slam titles. But Rune has never progressed beyond the quarterfinals in the Majors, reaching the stage thrice (last played at the 2023 Wimbledon).

At present, almost every player is participating in warm-up tournaments before the Australian Open. Sinner and Alcaraz, however, have not signed up for any of them, and they will instead be locking horns with each other in an exhibition event in Incheon, South Korea, on January 10th.

In Melbourne, Sinner’s goal will be to become the second man in the Open Era to win three consecutive Australian Open titles after Djokovic. Alcaraz will also be eyeing history as he will be bidding to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. The six-time Grand Slam champion has never advanced to the semifinals, losing in the quarterfinals stage twice.

Holger Rune on when he will make his comeback

During the aforementioned interview with Marca, Holger Rune was asked when he thinks he will be able to play again. At present, the 22-year-old’s realistic goal is to walk without limping, gain overall strength, “move around the court and look like a tennis player“.

Many people don’t realize that an Achilles tendon can support up to a ton of weight during explosive movements, so even when it feels good, there can still be a long recovery process. I’m currently trying to walk again after almost two months of not doing so. I can’t venture to say where or when I’ll return.

Rune is expected to miss the majority of the 2026 season. Last year, Rune made two finals. He first lost to Jack Draper at Indian Wells but was able to defeat Carlos Alcaraz at the Barcelona Open. In Grand Slams, Rune made the fourth round twice, at the Australian Open and at the French Open. At Wimbledon and the US Open, his run ended in the first and second rounds, respectively.

The former World No.4 finished the season in the 15th spot and could drop further in the rankings table because the 2026 season has already started.

Also read: Nick Kyrgios Makes Huge ‘Money’ Confession About the Rest of his Career

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