"He's a completely different Holger": Rune's mother shares emotional update ahead of long-awaited ATP return

Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 15:06

Holger Rune is finally closing in on his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour after nearly ten months away from competition, and according to his mother and manager, Aneke Rune, the Dane is no longer just physically ready—he is mentally transformed.

The former world No. 4 has not played since suffering a devastating complete Achilles tendon rupture during the ATP 250 Stockholm semi-finals last October, an injury that forced him to miss the remainder of the 2025 season as well as the entire 2026 clay and grass campaigns.

Now ranked No. 82 in the live rankings, Rune is targeting a comeback at the Cincinnati Open using his protected ranking. The ATP Masters 1000 event is expected to be his only tournament before returning to Grand Slam action at the US Open later this month.

After months of careful rehabilitation, Aneke Rune believes the 23-year-old is finally ready to leave one of the toughest periods of his career behind.

"He's a completely different Holger"

Speaking to Danish outlet BT, Aneke Rune explained that the recovery has accelerated significantly in recent weeks after gradually increasing the intensity of her son's training.

"Holger has been training with some Danish players in Copenhagen recently, and now we're back in Monaco, where he can practise against ATP Tour players."

She added that Rune has already resumed match-like practice sessions while continuing to manage the workload carefully. "We've gradually increased the intensity over the last few weeks," Aneke Rune said. "Although the sessions are adapted to protect him, he plays at full intensity and runs all over the court."

Holger Rune hits a backhand at Barcelona Open

Holger Rune during the 2025 Barcelona Open

The biggest milestone came after a recent medical examination, which confirmed the tendon had healed successfully. "Two weeks ago we had a check-up where Morten Boesen performed a scan, and I could tell he was very happy. Everything looks good on the scans."

According to Aneke, the results have given Rune complete confidence ahead of his comeback. "His Achilles tendon will not rupture again. He can now move completely freely on court, including lateral movement and wide footwork," she added, with perhaps the most encouraging assessment of all: "He's so happy. He's a completely different Holger."

Cincinnati comeback, US Open next

Rune's road back has been anything but straightforward. Initially expected to return during the European clay season, the Dane postponed his comeback several times, first skipping Hamburg before ultimately deciding not to rush back for the grass swing.

Instead, his team prioritized a full recovery with one objective in mind: arriving healthy for the North American hard-court season.

The Cincinnati Open now appears set to become the starting point of that new chapter. Entering with a protected ranking, Rune will have the opportunity to test himself against the world's best before heading to New York for the US Open.

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The former world No. 4 has also embraced another major change ahead of his return, switching from Babolat to Wilson during his rehabilitation. Cincinnati is expected to mark the competitive debut of his new racket as he attempts to rebuild his ranking after nearly a year away from the ATP Tour.

For one of the brightest talents of his generation, simply returning to competition will already represent a significant victory. The next challenge will be proving that the "completely different Holger" his mother describes can once again compete among the elite.

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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