Rune, Wanting and Not Being Able

Andrés Tomás Rico | 8 Apr 2025 | 15.44

Rune, to want and not be able to. Photo: Getty Images.

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Holger Rune has been battling expectations, himself, and now, injuries for several months. The Dane arrived at the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, where he resides, with the clear goal of reaching the final rounds and contending for the title, as he did in 2023 when he lost in the final to Andrey Rublev. However, it won't be this year either as he has bid farewell right at the start after retiring due to injury when trailing 6-2 and 3-0 against Nuno Borges.

It is not yet known if there is an injury or simply some discomfort he didn't want to risk considering the upcoming tournament schedule. For the first time in his career, he will participate in the Conde de Godó, followed by the Mutua Madrid Open, where last year he exited in the third round, similar to his performance in Rome. While at Roland Garros, he reached the round of 16, losing in a thrilling five-set match, one of the highlights of that edition.

A possible injury at the worst possible time

But this entire schedule is currently up in the air. If a possible injury is confirmed, he is likely to scratch the Barcelona tournament off his list, as it is an ATP 500 event beginning next Monday. From that point onward, everything becomes uncertain, but it would be a blow for the Dane to miss more tournaments.

An injury would be one more drop in a cup that is near overflowing. Rune's inconsistency in 2025 continues the trend of 2024. With great weeks, such as in Indian Wells, reaching the final, and early exits in tournaments like Miami. This rollercoaster of performances and results hinders the 21-year-old from following in the footsteps of his two generational peers: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

While all the attention is focused on the Italian and the Spaniard, they gradually distance themselves from the Dane, who struggles to find the right path with coaches, compounded by the controversial figure of his mother and his strong temperament in certain matches. All these factors led to him dropping out of the top 10 last year and ending 2024 without a title.

"I have learned the lesson. Things always happen for a reason. I believe every player deserves to be where they are, so I deserve to be in my ranking. I don’t think I have become the worst player in the last two years. In fact, I think the opposite. I believe I have become a more complete player. Mentally, I feel good right now. I feel very calm on the court, and yes, I take it day by day," he confessed during his time at Indian Wells, where his best tennis was on display to date.

It is still too early to draw conclusions about the Dane; the clay court season has just begun, but the bullet of Monte Carlo has already been missed. Waiting to know the extent of the injury, the pressure mounts on a Rune who has been striving for two years to meet expectations that have never helped him showcase the great tennis he possesses inside.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune, querer y no poder