“Whole body seemed extremely vulnerable” – Holger Rune reveals truth behind Argentina Open heartbreak amid illness

Holger Rune Admits He Returned Too Early After Battling Influenza

Holger Rune revealed he was still recovering from influenza after his early exit at the Argentina Open, admitting he returned to competition too soon following his illness.

Rune’s 2025 season has been filled with ups and downs, with his latest setback coming in Buenos Aires, where he lost his opening match as the second seed to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, 1-6, 6-7.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the 21-year-old Dane acknowledged that he made too many mistakes and struggled physically.

“My goal here was to play good tennis, and I couldn’t. It has nothing to do with competing in Rotterdam a couple of weeks ago. I got sick there, but that’s how things go,” Rune said (via Puntodebreak).

Rune’s Apology & Admission on X

Following his defeat, Rune took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his frustrations and apologized to fans in Argentina, explaining how his body wasn’t ready for competition after battling the flu.

“Looking back, I think it was too early to play after my influenza last week. My shoulder was not working, and my whole body seemed extremely vulnerable. I will take the time to get proper rest now. When the body is not there, the brain shuts down, and I am just very sorry I couldn’t deliver what I wanted on court today. Sorry Argentina 🫶🏼” Rune wrote.

Rune Criticizes Argentina Open Court Conditions

Rune didn’t hold back when discussing the court conditions in Buenos Aires, calling them unsatisfactory despite praising the event’s organization and atmosphere.

“The event is well organized, but the courts are not good at all. Apart from that, everything is fine. Good atmosphere, fantastic weather, quite good,” he stated.

When asked if he would return to the Argentina Open in the future, Rune gave an uncertain response:

“I don’t know, I haven’t thought about my calendar for the coming years yet.”

Rune’s Rollercoaster 2025 Season

Rune’s season started in Brisbane, where he suffered a straight-sets loss to Jiri Lehecka. However, he showed signs of promise at the Australian Open, reaching the fourth round before losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.

In Rotterdam, Rune had a mixed performance, defeating Lorenzo Sonego in the first round before falling to Pedro Martinez (4-6, 1-6) in the second round. Shortly after his Rotterdam exit, news of his illness surfaced, yet Rune opted to continue his schedule—a decision he now acknowledges was a mistake.

The World No. 12 will now focus on rest and recovery before deciding on his next tournament appearance.