Holger Rune withdrew from the Stockholm Open on Thursday, citing a minor injury shortly before his scheduled quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz.
The 23-year-old Danish tennis player announced his withdrawal via Instagram, noting that he had sustained the setback during the previous day’s play at the Kungliga tennishallen.
The decision to pull out follows a season of fluctuating rankings for Rune. While he reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in 2023, he has since fallen to No. 406. This decline is largely attributed to a long-term recovery process after he tore his Achilles tendon during the Stockholm Open last year, an injury that necessitated surgery and an extended period away from the court, Aftonbladet reported.
While initial reports from Aftonbladet and Expressen identified the issue as a hamstring injury, SVT Nyheter reported that the player described it as a groin injury. Regardless of the specific muscle group, Rune emphasized a cautious approach to his physical health.
“I had a minor injury in my hamstring yesterday and I don’t want to take any risks by playing today. I want to start the new season healthy. See you soon again, and thanks for all the support,” Rune wrote in a post on Instagram, as cited by Expressen.
The withdrawal grants Taylor Fritz a walkover into the semifinal, where the American will face either Ugo Humbert or Lorenzo Musetti, according to SVT Nyheter.
Return to the site of 2025 injury
The Stockholm tournament holds a difficult history for the Dane. In the lead-up to his quarterfinal, Rune spoke to Sveriges Radio about the mental hurdles involved in competing on the same court where he sustained his major injury last year.
He said that he drew inspiration from Alexander Zverev, who successfully returned to competition after a severe injury at the French Open. Rune defeated Zizou Bergs in straight sets in his Stockholm opening round before the latest physical issue ended his run in the tournament, Sveriges Radio reported.
ATP Tour implications
The walkover sends Taylor Fritz directly into the tournament’s final four. For Rune, the focus now shifts toward recovery and preparation for the upcoming season. His withdrawal marks the end of his Stockholm campaign before he could test his form against the world No. 10. There has been no further update from his team regarding his participation in future events for the remainder of the calendar year.
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