Holger Rune, the 22-year-old Danish tennis star ranked world No. 11, has addressed the controversy surrounding his behavior during Denmark’s Davis Cup qualifier loss to Spain on September 14, 2025, in Marbella. The world No. 11’s second singles match against Pedro Martinez ended in a 1-6, 6-4, 6-7(3) defeat, but the post-match drama stole the headlines: Rune refused to shake the chair umpire’s hand and was accused by Spanish captain David Ferrer of telling the crowd to “f*** off.” In a candid interview with Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet, Rune defended his actions, claiming the umpire “didn’t deserve” the gesture due to “so many mistakes,” while dismissing the crowd incident as a misunderstanding amid a tense atmosphere.
The Match: A Tense Battle and On-Court Frustration
Rune’s match against Martinez was a rollercoaster, with the Dane taking the first set 6-1 before Martinez fought back to level at one set all. The deciding third set saw Rune serve for the match at 5-4 but squander a match point, ultimately losing the tiebreak. The partisan Spanish crowd at Club de Tenis Puente Romano created a hostile environment, cheering loudly for Martinez and jeering Rune, who struggled with the noise and exuberant celebrations.
Tensions boiled over early. In the first set, Rune appeared to gesture aggressively toward the crowd, prompting Ferrer to confront the umpire, Roberto Ranieri. “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,” Ferrer told Ranieri, per AS. Ferrer even summoned the supervisor, demanding Rune be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. Rune also argued with Ranieri over calls, including a controversial double-bounce ruling late in the third set, which he vehemently disputed: “I haven’t watched the clips yet, but I would almost bet everything I own that it hadn’t touched the ground.”
The match’s climax came post-defeat: Rune shook hands with Martinez at the net, Spain’s captain Ferrer, and Denmark’s captain Frederik Nielsen, but when approaching Ranieri, he extended his hand only to pull it back and walk away. The snub, captured on broadcast, left viewers stunned and Ferrer furious.
Rune’s Explanation: “He Didn’t Deserve It”
In his Ekstra Bladet interview, Rune was unapologetic about the umpire snub. “He didn’t deserve it,” he said bluntly. “I think that’s pretty clear to see with so many mistakes. It wasn’t a very good job, I think.” Rune elaborated on the double-bounce call, insisting it was incorrect and contributed to his frustration. “I’ve seen worse,” he added, defending his gesture toward the crowd as a reaction to the noise, not profanity. “The crowd was loud, celebrating every point like it was a Grand Slam final. I was telling them to calm down, not cursing.”
Rune acknowledged the match’s intensity but stood by his actions, saying, “It was a tough loss, but I gave everything. The umpire’s errors cost me—I’m not going to pretend otherwise.” His comments align with his fiery on-court persona, seen in past incidents like his 2023 US Open outburst and a 2024 spat with Stan Wawrinka. Denmark’s captain Nielsen supported Rune, calling the crowd “over the top” and the officiating “poor,” though he urged players to maintain composure.
Fan and Expert Reactions: Backlash and Support
Rune’s explanation has divided opinions. On X, fans slammed him as “classless” and “a sore loser”: “Snubbing the umpire? Telling fans to f*** off? Holger’s ego is out of control” (@TennisFanatic22). Spanish media, including AS, portrayed him as disrespectful, with Ferrer labeling his behavior “unacceptable.” Others defended him, citing the hostile environment: “The crowd was ridiculous—Rune’s frustration is understandable. Umpires need to control that” (@TheTennisLetter).
Experts like José Morgado called the double-bounce “HORRENDOUS” on X, while Marion Bartoli noted, “Rune’s talented but needs to channel his anger better—snubs like that hurt his image” (*Eurosport*). The incident echoes Rune’s 2025 French Open semifinal loss to Alcaraz, where crowd support for the Spaniard irked him.
Implications for Rune’s Career
The Davis Cup loss eliminates Denmark from the Final 8 in Bologna, Italy, but Rune’s focus shifts to the Laver Cup (September 19-21, 2025) with Team Europe under Yannick Noah. His 2025 season includes a French Open semifinal and wins over Alcaraz and Sinner, but consistency eludes him—no major title since 2022 Basel. Under coach Andre Agassi, Rune aims to curb his temper, but incidents like this risk alienating fans.
As Rune prepares for the Asian swing, his Marbella outburst serves as a reminder: talent alone isn’t enough—sportsmanship matters. Whether “telling fans to f*** off” or a misinterpreted gesture, Rune’s explanation hasn’t quelled the controversy, leaving his fiery reputation intact.
