“He didn’t deserve it”: Holger Rune explains Davis Cup handshake snub

Monday, 15 September 2025 at 19:00

Holger Rune hits a backhand at Barcelona Open

Holger Rune drew attention this weekend in the Davis Cup after a tense environment in Denmark's loss to Pedro Martínez. The Dane refused to shake the chair umpire's hand after the match, following a tense atmosphere with the Marbella crowd, who interrupted Rune several times.

The world No. 11 had a chance to close out the series for Denmark and eliminate the Spaniards, who were missing their top singles players Carlos Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich. Denmark led the series 2-1, and Rune was set to face Martínez (No. 67), who had not been considered for the singles matches the previous day. The Spanish No. 5 came in to replace Jaume Munar, who had suffered a disappointing loss in his debut against Moller.

Rune was the clear favorite but began by losing the first set 1-6, playing far below his usual level. The Dane was visibly annoyed by the crowd noise and exuberant celebrations, getting into an argument with the umpire over his handling of the match. Rune failed to serve for the match in the third set and missed one match point, ultimately falling 1-6, 6-4, 6-7(3), giving Spain new life. They tied the series and sent it to a decisive fifth match.

At the end of the match, Rune approached to shake the umpire's hand but visibly pulled it back, clearly upset. "He didn't deserve it," he later explained to the Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet. "I think that's pretty clear to see with so many mistakes. It wasn't a very good job, I think."

Another controversial call

The 22-year-old star was especially unhappy with a chair umpire's decision, who called a double-bounce on a controversial point late in the third set, a decision Rune disagreed with. "I haven't watched the clips yet, but I would almost bet everything I own that it hadn't touched the ground," he said. "It was a sick call. But I probably would have lost the point anyway. I hit a short ball right into his forehand."

"They were some rather strange calls. It can happen. Fortunately, there are usually video reviews on the ATP tour." Unfortunately for Rune, he was unable to recover from the controversial call, and ended up with a painful defeat in the third-set tie-break. Hours later, Spain's qualification for the Finals 8 was confirmed after Pablo Carreño Busta's imposing victory against Elmer Moller (6-2, 6-3).

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The former world No. 4 was also at odds with the crowd in Marbella, who booed and whistled at him throughout the match and applauded several of his unforced errors. "I think there is a difference between Danish and Spanish manners. There is a slight difference in upbringing," he stated. "But that is part of it, and I have experienced worse," Rune added. "There are some things that are, of course, a little unsportsmanlike. But again, I've experienced worse."

Looking ahead to the Laver Cup

Following the painful Davis Cup elimination, Rune is getting ready for his next challenge: his debut at the Laver Cup this weekend in San Francisco. The Dane will play in the tournament for the first time, joining Spanish world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to defend Team Europe, the reigning champions.

Rune will join other stars like Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Flavio Cobolli, and Jakub Mensik on the team, which will be led for the first time by Yannick Noah. Once his participation in the Laver Cup is over, Rune will resume his commitments on the ATP Tour, traveling for the Asian swing to compete in the Tokyo Open and Shanghai Masters.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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