Holger Rune’s Mom Shares Emotional Update Amid War in Middle East: “It’s Been So Violent Here”

Holger Rune has been undergoing his rehabilitation in Doha since February.

Holger Rune’s Mom Shares Emotional Update Amid War in Middle East: “It’s Been So Violent Here”

Aneke Rune, Holger Rune (Image via Sport.dk, X/Holger Rune HQ)

In Short
  • Holger Rune is currently in Doha for rehabilitation amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
  • Rune's mother has reached out to the Danish government for assistance in evacuating citizens stranded in the region.
  • The ongoing war has led to significant disruptions, with airspace closures affecting many tennis players and officials.

Holger Rune is currently undergoing his rehabilitation in Doha, Qatar. He is stranded in the country amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East due to the USA and Israel’s war with Iran.

After the USA and Israel attacked Iran, the latter retaliated by bombing the bases of both countries across the Middle East. Because tennis tournaments were held in these regions last month, many players, their team members, and tennis officials were stuck there, including Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Karen Khachanov. The war led to the closure of the airspace.

The three Russian aces have successfully left Dubai for Indian Wells, where the season’s first Masters 1000 is underway. Rune, however, has not competed since the 2025 Stockholm Open. He ruptured his Achilles tendon during the semifinal against Ugo Humbert and later underwent surgery. Last month, he landed in Doha for his rehabilitation at Aspetar, a private hospital.

Recently, Rune’s mom asked the Danish government for help and accused it of not doing enough to evacuate Danish citizens. She also wrote to Ekstra Bladet, revealing that, because of nearby fallen debris, Rune did not go to the hospital and instead continued his rehab at the hotel.

I’ve been working all day at the computer after we were stopped on the tennis court this morning by massive bombing. I’ve sent them an email now and heard what they came up with after the press conference today. Is there a plan? It’s been a few days since it’s been so violent here.

The war is expected to last for one month as the goal of the USA and Israel is to destroy Iran’s capability of developing nuclear weapons and overthrow the current government.

Holger continued his rehab at the hotel, because we didn’t dare go out to Aspetar as there had been fallen missile debris close by. We are lucky that they come here and work with Holger when we don’t dare go out. You get a little used to it. We had a feeling that it had calmed down a bit, and we continued our daily lives and hoped that the airport would open soon. Now we are back to square one again.

Aneke Rune added

In the recently concluded Middle East Swing, Carlos Alcaraz won the Qatar Open, while Medvedev clinched his second title at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Holger Rune’s mother, Aneke Rune, is confused about whether to leave Doha amid the war

Aneke Rune is also Holger Rune‘s manager and frequently travels with him. As mentioned before, Aneke, at the moment, is handling the travel disruptions and revealed to Ekstra Bladet that there is a way to get out of Doha, but is confused whether to follow this plan.

Holger Rune
Holger Rune (Image via AllAboutHQ)

I’m used to arranging travel, so I have a possible exit in mind. So it’s mostly about what’s safest to do. The security companies we’ve consulted say stay. But it’s still hard to stay because you never know when there’s a new attack, and how violent it is. And how close. So it kind of gets to you.

Last year, Rune made two finals. After losing the Indian Wells Masters to Jack Draper, Rune defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Barcelona Open.

The Indian Wells Masters is underway. Alcaraz will be bidding to win his third title of the season as well as the tournament, following his wins in Doha and at the Australian Open. Rune has so far added one Masters 1000 title to his trophy cabinet. He clinched the 2022 Paris Masters by defeating Novak Djokovic.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Reveals the Chaos While Leaving Dubai After Middle East Strikes