Holger Rune’s “attitude” questioned by British former ATP icon after controversy with fan in French Open
Tim Henman Questions Holger Rune’s Attitude After French Open Fan Controversy
British former ATP star Tim Henman criticized Holger Rune’s attitude following a controversial incident with a spectator during the Dane’s third-round match against Quentin Halys at the 2025 French Open on May 30, 2025, per Express.co.uk. Rune’s heated reaction, which led to the spectator’s ejection, has drawn scrutiny, echoing the resilience and defiance seen in athletes like Aryna Sabalenka and Luke Littler.
The Fan Controversy
During the third set of his 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Halys on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, Rune threw his towel in frustration near a front-row spectator, who appeared to gesture or attempt to pick it up, per @RomainNextGen. Rune confronted the fan, claiming an aggressive act, and demanded their removal, threatening to forfeit the match, per @DExpress_Sport. Video review later showed no physical contact, prompting accusations of exaggeration, with @YanisDalouche calling it a “total lie,” per. The spectator was escorted out, sparking boos from the crowd and debate among commentators, with some, like @MimineHB, criticizing French TV for downplaying the incident, per.
**Henman’s Critique**
Tim Henman, a former world No. 4 and six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, questioned Rune’s temperament on Eurosport, saying, “His attitude can get in the way. He’s got to channel that passion constructively, not let it spiral into these confrontations,” per Express.co.uk. Henman noted Rune’s talent but suggested his emotional volatility, evident in past incidents, hinders consistency, per TennisWorldUSA.org. He referenced Rune’s 2023 French Open double-bounce controversy against Francisco Cerundolo, where fans slammed his refusal to concede a point, labeling his attitude “doomed,” per sportskeeda.com.
**Rune’s Response and History**
Rune defended his actions, calling the spectator’s behavior “embarrassing” and accepting Halys’ post-match apology for the crowd’s reaction, per @DExpress_Sport. He has a history of contentious moments, including homophobic slurs at the 2021 Biella Challenger, for which he was fined by the ATP, per outsports.com, and accusing Casper Ruud of taunting him after their 2022 French Open loss, a claim Ruud denied, per express.co.uk. Rune’s mother, Aneke, has also defended him, notably against Stan Wawrinka’s 2022 Paris Masters “baby” comment, per essentiallysports.com. John McEnroe, however, praised Rune’s “cocky” attitude as reminiscent of his own, per essentiallysports.com.
**Parallels to Other Athletes**
Rune’s clash mirrors Littler’s defiant gestures amid Premier League Darts boos, both embracing a villain role, per GBNews.com. Sabalenka’s defense of Djokovic and Raducanu’s grass season focus reflect similar resilience under scrutiny, per express.co.uk, Bolavip.com. Like Sinner’s Chatrier snub outrage, Rune’s incident highlights tennis’s emotional stakes, per sportskeeda.com.
**Conclusion**
Tim Henman criticized Holger Rune’s attitude after the Dane demanded a spectator’s ejection during his 2025 French Open win over Quentin Halys, per Express.co.uk. Rune’s history of controversies, from 2023’s double-bounce incident to 2021’s slurs, fuels debate, per sportskeeda.com, outsports.com. Like Littler’s taunts, Sabalenka’s advocacy, and Raducanu’s grit, Rune’s defiance defines him. He faces Alexander Zverev in the fourth round on June 1, live on TNT Sports.
