Rune and the greatest lesson he has learned from his injury: "I have accepted that sometimes you need more rest"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 18 Dec 2025 | 20.00

Rune and the biggest lesson he has learned from his injury: "I have accepted that sometimes more rest is needed." Photo: Getty Images

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Holger Rune does not stop for a single day. After rupturing his Achilles tendon at the ATP in Stockholm just two months ago, the Dane is undergoing a perfect recovery, so much so that he is even ahead of schedule. However, he is aware that rushing his return should be avoided to prevent another setback.

Currently, he is in Doha in another phase of his recovery. There is no set date for his return yet, and he prefers to take things step by step. The first goal: walking without crutches or boots. But that doesn't mean his mindset and ambition are not aiming to return not only to the level he was at before his injury but to an even higher level.

This is the intention of Holger Rune, who in an interview with Sports Illustrated updated on the status of his injury and his upcoming plans, as well as his criticism of such a packed calendar on the ATP circuit and revealing the major lesson he has learned in this process.

Holger Rune reveals the current state of his injury and the next steps to take

"I am currently in rehabilitation in Doha, Qatar. My team is very involved, so everything is going well. It has been exactly seven weeks since the surgery, so it has been a bit faster than the steps I was being told to take. That is always good."

"We set goals for each week. Coming here, the idea was to start walking again. I already walk without a boot, but when I leave, we will walk with regular shoes with a bit of a raised heel. So, I am a bit more prepared not to torture myself, because that is what I really want to avoid right now. We are challenging the tendon almost every day in various ways. We also have a day off to recover. But I think we are pushing hard, and I have good people around me who have been through this injury, so it's going well."

Grateful for the unwavering support of his family since the moment of the injury

"Honestly, I had some tough days. But they were just moments. And I have had my family and team by my side from the start, which has been very important. They have meant a lot to me. I wouldn't have gone through it the same way without them. Obviously, the day it happened was devastating and hard to digest. But after that? We have a big challenge ahead, and I have to focus on that. I can't afford to get too discouraged. I have so much work to do, so I don't have much time to think about anything else."

Is gaining a greater physical tone than before his injury

"I can already tell that I will be in better shape when I regain my physical form. I am putting a lot of effort into where I can and where I currently have no limitations: the torso, the upper body. So, there are other things to do, and I did that the first day after surgery. I was in the gym working on the upper body. I'm not one to stay still for long."

"Tennis is not a sport to get big. It's about getting fit. We take care of my diet because I don't burn as many calories as when I play. What I will probably learn from this injury, for the benefit of my body, is to accept that sometimes more rest is needed."

Eager to return with the best version of himself

"I would say the best advice I have received so far is very basic: take your time. When I return, I will be a star because there is no reason to come back and not feel ready. So, you know, I am a person with a lot of desire. I am eager to return. At the same time, I want to come back as the best version of myself, an unbreakable version, an unstoppable version, a version that can beat anyone, not just for a week, but in all tournaments. And I believe that now I have the time to develop that person, both physically and when I return to the tennis court."

Reveals the main reasons that caused his Achilles tendon rupture

"I think all players on the current circuit are in excellent shape. This makes some of them very explosive. I consider myself a very explosive player. And then there is fatigue. The calendar is another factor, the demands of the circuit, which have been practically every week from January to the end of November, making recovery difficult. I had the chance to make it to the ATP Finals. And of course, I'm not going to stop; that's why I don't regret playing in Stockholm. And I was playing very well."

"But it's tough. There are too many tournaments. The demands of the sport and the calendar are too much for the players. And I think not only for me. Mine is a major injury, but we have seen other players get injured, preventing them from playing the full schedule. And I think especially the two-week Masters is completely unnecessary. And I believe all players agree on that. I have spoken with all the top players, and I think they agree."

Calls for greater understanding from the ATP

"I don't want to blame anyone. But I also don't believe in bad luck. I think things happen for a reason. And, you know, the main cause of these injuries is fatigue. We are still humans, not machines or robots or anything. We all understand that we need to be in top shape. We can play five-hour matches, and not all athletes can do that. So I think we do what we can to be prepared now. I think the ATP should also adjust a bit to the players."

His dream of being the best tennis player in the world remains valid

"I would say my childhood dream was to be the best player in the world. So the dream is still alive. It has not been fulfilled yet. I am definitely playing the tournament I want. I am living the life I always dreamed of. But I am hungry for more. I am not satisfied with where I am. I am proud of many of the steps I have taken along the way and more."

"I feel I have a lot more work ahead of me and much more I want to achieve. And that gives me the drive to move forward, to face this injury, whatever it takes to come back, and also to have a clearer idea of what I really want. I think I can be the best player in the world," concludes Holger Rune who, after the drama of his injury, aims to return with more hunger and determination than ever before.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune y la mayor lección que ha aprendido de su lesión: "He aceptado que a veces se necesita más descanso"