Holger Rune has returned to the ATP circuit following a severe Achilles tendon injury and is targeting a comeback modeled on Roger Federer’s 2017 season.
The 23-year-old Danish player spent nearly a year sidelined before notching his first wins back at the tour level in Basel. Ahead of the Stockholm tournament, Rune pointed to Federer’s recovery from a 2016 knee surgery as his primary source of motivation.
Federer underwent knee surgery after missing much of the 2016 season at age 35. He returned the following year to win the Australian Open against Rada Nadal, claim the Indian Wells and Miami Sunshine Double, and capture another Wimbledon title.
“He puesto a Roger Federer como ejemplo de lo que fue capaz de hacer cuando se lesionó la rodilla y regresó en 2017 dominando por completo el circuito ATP,” Rune said in an interview with SpilXperten. “He pensado mucho en eso, y eso es lo que quiero ser cuando vuelva. Quiero regresar como él, dominando a todos.”
Holger Rune was inspired by Roger Federer's 2017 comeback and believes anything is possible without limitations on his return from injury pic.twitter.com/A8sHebq8f6
Rune’s immediate schedule focuses on building match fitness ahead of the Australian Open. He aims to compete in as many matches as possible before the Australian Open.
“Ahora mi objetivo es disputar tantos partidos como sea posible antes del Abierto de Australia, así que espero tener un buen desempeño en Estocolmo y luego trabajar duro para estar en plena forma en Australia. Requiere mucho esfuerzo, pero tengo que dar lo mejor de mí,” Rune told SpilXperten.”
A year on from his injury in the semifinals of the Stockholm Open and Holger Rune is back. He has even bigger goals for next year and hopes to have a return reminiscent of Roger Federer coming back in 2017 and believes anything is possible 🦾 pic.twitter.com/tSsUZ2LpIP
Before his Achilles injury, Rune experienced a slump that dropped him out of the upper tier of the ATP rankings. Still, he maintains his long-term goals of capturing major titles and reaching the top spot.
“Mi objetivo principal es convertirme en el número uno del mundo y ganar Grand Slams,” Rune stated. “La meta es ser aún mejor de lo que era antes, y dentro de ese objetivo se encuentra el mencionado anteriormente. Eso es lo que quiero. No creo que nada sea irrealizable. Creo que todo es posible.”