Holger Rune fears 'unbearable' injury lay-off after suffering 'fully broken' Achilles at Nordic Open against Ugo Humbert

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Holger Rune admits it is "unbearable" to consider how long his recovery will take after sustaining a serious Achilles injury at the Nordic Open. The Dane required assistance leaving the court after hurting his left foot during the second set. The 22-year-old suffered the injury during Saturday's semi-final of the Stockholm ATP 250 against French ace Ugo Humbert, while he was leading 6-4 2-2.

Holger Rune zabrał głos po paskudnej kontuzji

Image credit: Getty Images

Holger Rune says it is "unbearable" to think how long it will take for him to return to action after he suffered a serious Achilles injury at the Nordic Open.

Rune suffered the injury during Saturday's semi-final of the Stockholm ATP 250 against French ace Ugo Humbert, ending any chance of a place at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

The former world No. 4 – who was seeking to reach his third final in 2025 after Indian Wells and Barcelona – needed assistance as he limped off the court after injuring his left foot during the second set, with the game level at 40-40 on Humbert's serve and Rune leading 6-4 2-2.

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Rune, who was nursing a hamstring issue coming into the match, had tears in his eyes as he was forced to retire in the Swedish capital, and the diagnosis has confirmed his worst fears.

Rune's mother, Aneke, revealed that her son would need at least six months before he can return to action, telling Danish newspaper BT that she had been informed by medical staff that her son's injury was "very bad".

She said: "They are completely sure that it is a torn Achilles tendon, so it's of course, very bad. Holger is completely devastated. They say they can see it with the naked eye."

Holger Rune receives the support of Ugo Humbert after his serious injury

Image credit: Getty Images

The player has now confirmed that his Achilles is "fully broken".

"It’s gonna be a while before I can step on court again," Rune said on Instagram. "It’s tough. I had so much joy on court in Stockholm and it’s unbearable to think that I will not feel this energy for some time now.

"My Achilles is fully broken on the proximal part, meaning I need [an] operation already next week and from here, rehabilitation.

"Thank you for all your support now and always. Without you, nothing would be the same. See you as soon as possible."

Rune's coach Patrick Mouratoglou responded to his player's social media post, saying he knows Rune will come back stronger.

"I feel for you, my friend, but I know how strong mentally you are," the French coach said. "You will use that time off to become even better!"

Speaking after the contest was curtailed, Rune's opponent Humbert said: "It was not the way I wanted to win. I'm super disappointed for Holger, I hope he is going to be okay.

"I wish him a speedy recovery. It was a great match — he was playing a little bit better than me — but I'm really sorry for Holger."

Rune joins the walking wounded

Rune is still to return to the world's top 10 after his exploits in Sweden, but he becomes the latest to see his season end prematurely.

Novak Djokovic retired from his third-place play-off against Taylor Fritz at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The Serbian pulled out after losing the first set, continuing to struggle with illness and injury following his early exit at the Shanghai Masters last week.

Novak Djokovic retired from his match in Saudi Arabia

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The non-ATP-sanctioned event also saw Carlos Alcaraz fall to Jannik Sinner in the final. The Spaniard, who has repeatedly raised concerns about the demanding tennis schedule, criticised the sport’s congested calendar last month, as he warned: "They are going to kill us in some way."

On the women’s side, Naomi Osaka added to the growing list of injury withdrawals after pulling out of the Japan Open with a leg issue ahead of her quarter-final match on Friday. The four-time Grand Slam champion had only recently returned to the tour after maternity leave.

Earlier this year, Iga Swiatek also voiced frustration with the packed schedule, calling the season "too long and too intense" during the China Open, where several players were hampered by injuries.

Britain’s Emma Raducanu brought her 2025 season to an early end last Thursday after retiring from her previous two matches due to illness. The 2021 US Open champion had a stop-start return to competition this year after multiple surgeries in 2024.

Other top players, including Australia’s Daria Kasatkina, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, and Spain’s Paula Badosa have also prematurely ended their seasons in recent weeks, citing injury concerns or the need for recovery time amid an increasingly punishing tour schedule.

Jack Draper said he felt the tennis calendar must be adapted in order to prevent the spate of withdrawals.

The British No. 1 wrote on X: "Injuries are going to happen… we are pushing our bodies to do things they aren't supposed to in elite sport.

"We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now and I'm proud to be a part of that.
However, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity."

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