Holger Rune’s “attitude” questioned by British former ATP icon after controversy with fan in French Open
**Tim Henman Criticizes Holger Rune’s Attitude After French Open Fan Incident**
Tim Henman, a former British ATP star, questioned Holger Rune’s attitude following a controversial altercation with a spectator during Rune’s third-round match against Quentin Halys at the 2025 French Open on May 30, per Express.co.uk. The incident, which led to the fan’s ejection, sparked debate about Rune’s on-court demeanor, drawing parallels to the resilience of athletes like Luke Littler and Aryna Sabalenka.
**The Incident**
In the third set of Rune’s 4-6, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the No. 10 seed slammed his towel into his towel box in frustration, prompting a spectator to allegedly shout aggressively and reach toward him, per thescore.com. Rune demanded the fan’s removal, threatening to forfeit the match, claiming the spectator’s actions were “embarrassing” and “aggressive,” per Express.co.uk. Replays, however, showed Rune kicking an advertising board and throwing his towel near the fan, who reached for the towel, not Rune, per motociclismo.pt. The fan was escorted out, fueling crowd boos and social media backlash, with @YanisDalouche labeling Rune’s claim a “total lie,” per @RomainNextGen.[](https://www.thescore.com/atp/news/3293646)[](https://motociclismo.pt/en/holger-runes-fiery-clash-with-fan-at-french-open-draws-criticism-from-british-icon/)
**Henman’s Criticism**
Henman, commentating for TNT Sports, criticized Rune’s lack of composure, saying, “His attitude can get in the way. He’s got to channel that passion constructively,” per Express.co.uk. He contrasted Rune with Jack Draper, who showed resilience against Gael Monfils, noting, “Draper was so resilient… Rune should learn from that,” per motociclismo.pt. Henman acknowledged Rune’s talent but stressed emotional control as key to reaching the next level, per TennisWorldUSA.org.[](https://sports.info/tennis/british-veteran-questions-holger-runes-attitude-after-french-open-incident-with-fan-9323094)[](https://motociclismo.pt/en/holger-runes-fiery-clash-with-fan-at-french-open-draws-criticism-from-british-icon/)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-this-kid-already-doomed-attitude-holger-rune-dismissing-french-open-double-bounce-controversy-umpire-error-infuriates-tennis-fans)
**Rune’s History of Controversy**
Rune’s fiery demeanor has sparked prior incidents. In 2023, he dismissed a double-bounce controversy against Francisco Cerundolo at Roland Garros, blaming the umpire and infuriating fans, per sportskeeda.com. In 2021, he was fined for homophobic slurs during a Biella Challenger match, later apologizing, per outsports.com. He accused Casper Ruud of taunting him post-match in 2022 and clashed with Stan Wawrinka, who called him a “baby,” per essentiallysports.com. John McEnroe, however, praised Rune’s “cocky” attitude as a strength, per essentiallysports.com.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-this-kid-already-doomed-attitude-holger-rune-dismissing-french-open-double-bounce-controversy-umpire-error-infuriates-tennis-fans)[](https://www.outsports.com/2021/6/9/22524788/holger-rune-tennis-atp-gay-slurs-apology/)[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/atp-tennis-news-drama-intensifies-as-holger-runes-mother-takes-on-stan-wawrinka-for-his-baby-comments-at-atp-paris-masters-2022/)
**Parallels to Resilience**
Rune’s clash mirrors Littler’s defiant gestures against booing darts crowds, both embracing adversarial roles, per GBNews.com. Sabalenka’s defense of Djokovic and Raducanu’s grass season focus reflect resilience under pressure, per express.co.uk, Bolavip.com. Like Littler facing Priestley’s doubts or Sinner’s Chatrier snub, Rune navigates scrutiny, per Mirror.co.uk, sportskeeda.com.
**Conclusion**
Tim Henman slammed Holger Rune’s attitude after he demanded a fan’s ejection during his 2025 French Open win over Quentin Halys, urging him to emulate Jack Draper’s composure, per Express.co.uk. Rune’s history, from 2023’s double-bounce row to 2021’s slurs, fuels debate, per sportskeeda.com. Like Littler’s taunts, Sabalenka’s advocacy, and Raducanu’s grit, Rune’s response defines his path. He faces Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round on June 1, live on TNT Sports.[](https://motociclismo.pt/en/holger-runes-fiery-clash-with-fan-at-french-open-draws-criticism-from-british-icon/)[](https://sports.info/tennis/british-veteran-questions-holger-runes-attitude-after-french-open-incident-with-fan-9323094)[]
