Holger Rune handed fresh opportunity after back-to-back ATP Tour defeats since comeback

Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 04:30

Holger Rune has received a wild card for the European Open Brussels ATP 250 as he continues searching for his first ATP Tour victory since returning from a serious Achilles injury. Despite winning both of his singles matches for Denmark in the Davis Cup last month, the former world No. 4 has lost his first-round matches in Tokyo and Shanghai, leaving him still waiting for a breakthrough on the main tour.

Rune returned to competitive tennis in September after almost 11 months away from the sport. His comeback initially went smoothly, as he defeated Iliyan Radulov and former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov in Denmark's Davis Cup tie against Bulgaria. Those victories demonstrated that he could compete again after his lengthy rehabilitation, but the challenges of returning to the ATP Tour have proved more demanding.

In Tokyo, the Dane lost to Frenchman Kyrian Jacquet in his first tournament match back on the Tour. He then came close to changing that record in Shanghai, winning the opening set 6-1 against Daniel Altmaier before losing 7-6(5), 6-4. The defeat extended his wait for an ATP Tour win, despite encouraging stretches of tennis in both tournaments.

Brussels now provides another opportunity to build match fitness and regain confidence before the end of the season. The tournament runs from October 19 to 25 and features a strong field, including Félix Auger-Aliassime, Arthur Fils, Casper Ruud and Jiří Lehecka. For Rune, however, the priority is to turn his progress in practice into results under competitive pressure.

I am very happy for this opportunity. No doubt I need matches after a year away and grateful that so many people in the industry are thinking how they can help and contribute to my comeback 🙏🏻 @BNPPFEUOpen
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) October 12, 2026

Rune welcomes opportunity to rebuild his rhythm

Rune expressed his gratitude after receiving the invitation, acknowledging that regular competition is essential following such a long absence. Although his Davis Cup victories offered an encouraging start, he still needs to adjust to the demands of the ATP Tour and accumulate matches before preparing for the 2027 season.

“I am very happy about this opportunity. There is no doubt that I need to play matches after a year away. I am grateful to see so many people in the sport looking for ways to help me and contribute to my return,” Rune said.

Rune holding the trophy at the 2025 Barcelona Open

The Achilles injury occurred during the Stockholm Open semifinals in October 2025, when Rune was approaching a return to the top 10. His subsequent surgery and rehabilitation kept him away from the Tour for almost a year, forcing him to rebuild his physical condition before competing again.

Rune's objective is to finish the season with more matches behind him and a stronger foundation for the new campaign. His ranking has fallen considerably during his absence, but the immediate priority is establishing consistency rather than rushing back towards the top.

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“My wish is to get into a really good rhythm and finish the year knowing that I've had a lot of matches," Rune said in Shanghai. "That would put me in a position to deliver a good preseason before Australia."

Brussels could therefore be an important step in his recovery. Rune has already shown through his Davis Cup performances that he can win again, but his next challenge is securing that first ATP Tour victory. A successful week in Belgium would give him valuable momentum before the final indoor tournaments and the start of his preparations for 2027.

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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