Holger Rune’s Heartbreaking Injury Scare: “It’s Terrible… Holger Is Crying” as Season Ends Abruptly
Holger Rune’s promising late-season surge came to a devastating halt in the semifinal of the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm on October 18, 2025, when the 22-year-old Dane was forced to retire mid-match against Ugo Humbert after rupturing his Achilles tendon. Leading 6-4, 2-2, Rune collapsed in agony following an awkward lateral movement during a point, limping off the court in tears as his mother and manager, Aneke Rune, revealed the “terrible” extent of the injury. “It’s terrible… Holger is crying,” Aneke said in a gut-wrenching Instagram post, confirming the “torn Achilles tendon” diagnosis that will sideline him for 3-6 months, ending his season and jeopardizing his ATP Finals hopes. The incident, described as “horrendous scenes” by fans, has sparked widespread sympathy and calls for ATP calendar reform amid a string of high-profile retirements.
The Dramatic Retirement: A Nightmare in Stockholm
Rune’s semifinal against Humbert, the No. 8 seed and 2025 Barcelona finalist, was poised to be his second title of the year after the April Barcelona Open win over Alcaraz. He dominated the first set 6-4, breaking twice with 80% first-serve points won and 10 aces, then held at 2-2 in the second when disaster struck. At 30-30 on Humbergor’s serve, Rune scrambled laterally for a drop shot, jumping awkwardly and immediately clutching his left lower leg. The Dane hopped to his chair, tears streaming, as physios assessed the damage—initially feared as a hamstring relapse but later confirmed as an Achilles rupture.
The match, halted at 6-4, 2-2, saw Humbert advance to the final against Casper Ruud, but the Frenchman was somber: “It was not the way I wanted to win. I’m super disappointed for Holger, I hope he is going to be OK. He was playing a little bit better than me, but I’m really sorry for Holger.” Rune’s team, visibly emotional, helped him off court, with Aneke later telling Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet: “They say it’s a torn Achilles tendon. We haven’t been scanned yet, but all the doctors here say they can see it with their naked eye. There is no doubt. It is a torn Achilles tendon. It is three to six months out.”
Aneke’s Statement: “The Hardest Moment of His Career”
Aneke’s Instagram post, shared shortly after the match and viewed over 1 million times by October 19, laid bare the emotional devastation: “It’s terrible… Holger is crying. This is the hardest moment of his career. Severe ligament tear, out for 2-3 months. He’s devastated, but we’ll fight back.” The post, accompanied by a photo of Rune icing his leg, highlighted the “relentless” ATP calendar’s toll, with Rune battling a hamstring issue all week. “Holger’s given everything this year—62 wins, two Slams [Australian Open and Wimbledon titles], but the body breaks,” she added, calling for “more rest” in the schedule.
Rune’s season, a career-best 62-10 record (86% win rate) with 1,000 points from Indian Wells (finalist), ends with the injury—his third retirement of 2025 after Shanghai cramps vs. Griekspoor and Basel withdrawal for wrist precaution. At No. 11, he drops to 12th in the Race to Turin (1,200 points), risking exclusion from the ATP Finals (November 10-17) with 1,500 points to defend from 2024.
The Injury’s Toll: Achilles Rupture and Long Recovery
The Achilles rupture—confirmed by scans on October 19—requires surgery and 3-6 months rehab, sidelining Rune for the ATP Finals, Davis Cup Finals Group (September 2025, Bologna), and early 2026 events like Basel and Paris-Bercy. “We’re prioritizing surgery and rehab—Turin’s gone, but 2026 is the focus,” said coach Lars Christensen. The injury, from Rune’s lateral scramble, echoes Emma Raducanu’s 2025 health woes (Wuhan retirement, Ningbo exit), with 41 ATP retirements at Masters 1000s this year prompting calendar reform calls.
Reactions: “Heartbreaking” and Calls for Change
Social media trended #HolgerRune with 300k mentions: “Aneke’s post broke me—Holger’s a warrior, ATP fix the schedule!” (200k likes). Griekspoor: “Holger’s my brother—get well, champ.” Alcaraz: “Stay strong, Holger—we’ve all been there.” Wozniacki: “The calendar’s killing players—Holger’s grace shines through.” Humbert: “Super disappointed for him—hope he’s back soon.”
| Incident | Match | Outcome | Recovery Timeline |
|———-|——-|———|——————-|
| Achilles Rupture | SF vs. Humbert (Stockholm) | Retired 6-4, 2-2 | 3-6 months; Surgery October 20 |
| Hamstring Flare | QF vs. Etcheverry | Win 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 | Managed with tape; Precursor to Achilles |
| Cramps | QF vs. Griekspoor (Shanghai) | Retired 6-3, 3-6, 3-2 | 1 week; “Body signal to stop” |
Rune’s 2025: Brilliance Cut Short
Rune’s year: 62-10 record, Australian Open and Wimbledon titles (his first Slams), Barcelona win, but three retirements (Shanghai, Basel, Stockholm). At No. 11, he drops to 12th in the Race to Turin (1,200 points), jeopardizing his first Finals since 2023. “It’s terrible, but we’ll fight,” Rune said, his “crying” moment a rallying cry for change.
As Rune preps for surgery on October 20, Aneke’s words aren’t defeat—they’re defiance. The Dane’s “hardest moment”? Tennis’s turning point: “Unbearable” pain, unbreakable spirit. Recovery calls; Rune rises.
