“There’s not really much to be happy about”: Holger Rune rues French Open loss amidst fitness concerns
Holger Rune Laments French Open Loss to Musetti, Grapples with Fitness Concerns
Holger Rune, the 22-year-old Danish tennis star, expressed deep disappointment after his fourth-round exit at the 2025 French Open, falling 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to Lorenzo Musetti on June 2, 2025, at Roland Garros. The No. 10 seed’s defeat marked another setback in a season plagued by fitness issues, with Rune candidly admitting, “There’s not really much to be happy about,” in a post-match interview with Danish press. The loss, which ended his hopes of reaching a first Grand Slam semi-final, highlighted ongoing concerns about his physical condition, as he revealed plans to work with fitness experts to address recurring health challenges. “I’ll never see my potential if I can’t reach 100 percent fitness,” he said, underscoring the urgency of his situation.
Rune’s match against Musetti, ranked No. 8, was a grueling affair on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Despite a strong second set where he showcased his aggressive style, Rune’s physical limitations became evident as the match progressed. Musetti capitalized on Rune’s 52 unforced errors, particularly exploiting weaknesses in his backhand and serve, which Rune later admitted needed “significant improvement.” The Dane attributed his subpar performance to inadequate training during the clay season, saying, “I wasn’t really able to train on clay all season, so physically, I wasn’t very sure where I was.” His history of fitness struggles, including tonsillitis and flu that forced multiple retirements earlier in 2025, compounded the challenge, leaving him uncertain about his physical ceiling.[](https://motorcyclesports.net/holger-runes-epic-battle-against-lorenzo-musetti-at-french-open-ignites-fitness-concerns/)[](https://medium.com/beyond-the-scoreboard/its-out-of-my-hands-why-holger-rune-keeps-retiring-from-tennis-matches-a78c52491357)
The match wasn’t without its highlights. Rune, known for his all-court game and deft drop shots, produced a stunning around-the-post winner in his third-round clash against Quentin Halys, a five-set thriller (4-6, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2) marred by a controversial fan incident. Rune demanded the ejection of a spectator who allegedly grabbed his towel, calling the behavior “embarrassing” and saying it made him feel “unsafe.” Despite the drama, he maintained focus to advance, earning an apology from Halys for the crowd’s actions. “The rest of the crowd was respectful,” Rune noted, showing his ability to compartmentalize off-court distractions.
Rune’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. A title win in Barcelona, where he stunned Carlos Alcaraz, proved his potential to compete with the elite, but his 2-8 record against top-10 players in Grand Slams and recent ranking drop to No. 15 reflect inconsistency. His earlier French Open runs—quarter-finals in 2022 and 2023—set high expectations, yet recurring health issues have derailed progress. “I was mostly irritated by the fact that my body was just not healthy,” he said before the tournament, highlighting the mental toll of playing under physical scrutiny.[](https://medium.com/beyond-the-scoreboard/its-out-of-my-hands-why-holger-rune-keeps-retiring-from-tennis-matches-a78c52491357)
Looking ahead, Rune is optimistic about the grass season, particularly Queen’s Club, and plans to hire a physical trainer to address his fitness woes. “We’re talking to some experts,” he told Danish media, emphasizing a long-term approach to unlocking his full potential. Fans on X echoed his frustration, with one post noting, “Rune’s talent is undeniable, but his body keeps betraying him.” As he exits Roland Garros, Rune’s focus on rebuilding his physical foundation signals a determined bid to reclaim his place among tennis’ top tier, with the tennis world watching closely.
