Rune promises a new Rune: "Perhaps I needed this break to come back stronger"

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After almost nine months away from competition due to a serious Achilles tendon injury, Holger Rune begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Dane, who once reached number four in the world and won a Masters 1000 as one of the great promises of his generation, is now in the final phase of his recovery. He says that this long period away from the circuit could end up becoming one of the most valuable experiences of his career.

In a recent interview with Tennis Channel, Rune explained that he still does not have an exact date to return to competition, although the feelings are increasingly positive. "We are already playing points, having full two-and-a-half to three-hour sessions. My foot and Achilles feel good, I am no longer injured, now it's about optimizing and getting ready to compete again," he said.

However, beyond the physical recovery, the Danish tennis player considers that this time away from tournaments has allowed him to work on aspects of his game that are normally impossible to develop during a season full of travel and competitions. "I remember that last summer I thought I would like to have two months to delve into my tennis and train properly. Obviously, if I had never been injured, I would have never stopped. Perhaps there was a higher force that decided to give me that time to come back stronger," he reflected.

Far from seeing the injury solely as a setback, Rune has taken advantage of these months to reinvent himself. He stated that he has made technical adjustments to his forehand, has dedicated countless hours to his serve, and has especially delved into movement patterns on the court. "I have always considered myself a great mover on the court, but we have worked a lot on how to be more efficient. It's not about taking more steps, but taking better steps. We have analyzed very specific details on how to attack the ball better, how to move towards the net, and how to make better use of my energy," he explained.

The work has been exhaustive. His daily routine starts around nine in the morning with specific balance and strengthening exercises for the Achilles. Then come several hours of tennis, physical sessions, recovery, physiotherapy, and a strict nutritional plan. Days that end around eight in the evening. "There are no shortcuts," Rune stated when explaining the philosophy that has allowed him to stay competitive throughout his career. "I have always believed that everything can improve. That's the beauty of tennis. Even the best are always looking for ways to progress," he added.

Holger Rune's opinion on the men's circuit during his long absence

Precisely, the Dane pointed to the current circuit dominators, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, as examples of that constant improvement mentality. For Rune, both represent the new benchmark in world tennis and show that evolution never ends.

During his absence, he has also reflected on his own identity as a player. He believes that at times he fell into the trap of oversimplifying his tennis, forgetting some of the tools that made him one of the most dangerous players on the circuit. "I have many weapons and I need to use them. Changes of pace, drop shots, aggressive play, and even defensive shots. When I played my best tennis, I was able to constantly adapt to each opponent and situation," he pointed out.

Looking ahead, Rune also shared his vision of Wimbledon, a tournament where he reached the quarterfinals in 2023. In his view, movement remains the differentiating factor on grass. "The best players on grass are the best movers," he explained before pointing out Jannik Sinner as the top favorite to lift the trophy.

As he continues to work under the intense heat of Monte Carlo, Rune maintains the ambition that took him to the elite. The injury forced him to pause, but it also allowed him to analyze his tennis with unprecedented depth. Now, his goal is clear: to return to the circuit not only recovered but transformed into an improved version of himself.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rune promete un nuevo Rune: “Quizá necesitaba este parón para volver más fuerte”