“Such a gigantic baby”;”Anna Kalinskaya taking notes” – Fans react after Holger Rune refuses to shake umpire’s hand after controversial Davis Cup loss
Holger Rune’s Davis Cup qualifier match against Spain on September 14, 2025, in Marbella ended in heartbreak for Denmark, but the real controversy unfolded after his 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(3) loss to Pedro Martinez in the fourth rubber. The world No. 11 served for the match at 5-4 in the decider and held a match point but faltered in the tiebreak, handing Spain a 3-2 victory and eliminating Denmark from the Final 8 in Bologna. Rune’s frustration boiled over: he shook hands with Martinez, Spain’s captain David Ferrer, and Denmark’s captain Frederik Nielsen, but snubbed chair umpire Roberto Ranieri by extending his hand only to pull it back and walk away. The incident, captured on broadcast, left fans divided and reignited debates about Rune’s fiery temperament.
The Match: Tension, Disputes, and a Collapse
The tie started promisingly for Denmark with Rune defeating Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 6-3 and Elmer Moller beating Jaume Munar 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, leading 2-0. Spain fought back with doubles and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s win over Moller. Rune, tasked with sealing qualification, dominated the first set 6-1 but lost focus, dropping the second 6-4. In the decider, a controversial double-bounce call against him at 5-5 escalated tensions, with Rune arguing vehemently with Ranieri. The crowd’s loud celebrations for Martinez added to the hostility, prompting Spanish captain Ferrer to confront the umpire: “Listen to me. In the first set, he cursed the fans, and then he threw two balls, and you didn’t even call a penalty.”
Rune later explained the crowd gesture as telling them to “calm down,” not cursing, but the snub to Ranieri drew immediate backlash. “He didn’t deserve it,” Rune told Ekstra Bladet. “So many mistakes—it wasn’t a very good job.” Denmark’s captain Nielsen supported him, calling the crowd “over the top” and officiating “poor.”
Fan Reactions: “Gigantic Baby” and Ties to Kalinskaya
Social media exploded with criticism, branding Rune immature. One fan tweeted, “Such a gigantic baby. Refusing to shake the umpire’s hand? Grow up, Holger” (*@TennisFanatic22*, [post:5]). Another mocked, “Anna Kalinskaya taking notes on how to handle Holger’s tantrums” (*@TheTennisLetter*, [post:5]), referencing Kalinskaya’s September 9 revelation that Rune messaged her 10 times before she rebuffed him, calling him desperate. The tie-in amplified the ridicule, with users joking, “From DMs to Davis Cup drama—Rune’s ego is unmatched” (*@SportsGossip*).
Other reactions included “Sore loser alert—snubbing the umpire is classless” and “The male Emma Raducanu: big talk, no sportsmanship.” Some defended Rune: “Crowd was ridiculous, and the calls were bad. Frustration is understandable” (*@RuneUpdates_*). Spanish media like AS portrayed him as disrespectful, with Ferrer demanding penalties for alleged cursing.
Rune’s History of On-Court Temper
This isn’t Rune’s first controversy. His fiery personality shone in 2023’s US Open outburst and a 2024 Wawrinka spat. Under coach Andre Agassi, he’s working on control, but incidents like this risk his image. The loss eliminates Denmark, shifting Rune’s focus to the Laver Cup (September 19-21) with Team Europe.
A Lesson in Composure
Rune’s handshake snub and crowd gesture have fans calling him a “gigantic baby,” with Kalinskaya references adding salt. As he prepares for the Asian swing, the Davis Cup drama serves as a reminder: talent alone isn’t enough—sportsmanship defines a champion. Whether Rune learns from this or doubles down, his path to the top remains rocky.
