“Really annoying and unfortunate timing”: Holger Rune’s comeback hit by another injury blow ahead of European Open

Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 21:30

Holger Rune’s return to competitive tennis has suffered another setback after a back problem forced him to withdraw from the European Open in Brussels. The former world No. 4 had accepted a wildcard into the ATP 250 tournament last week, hoping to gain further match practice after his lengthy absence, but will now have to pause his comeback once again.

The 23-year-old underwent medical examinations that confirmed the problem was not serious, but he has been advised to rest for several days, which rules him out of the upcoming tournament.

The timing is frustrating for Rune, who only returned to competition last month after recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon that required surgery and kept him out for much of the season.

Rune had endured a prolonged recovery before finally returning at the Davis Cup, where he helped Denmark defeat Bulgaria by winning both of his singles matches. One of those victories came against Grigor Dimitrov, offering encouragement that the Dane could begin rebuilding his competitive level after months away from the court.

Rune’s comeback interrupted again by injury

However, his return to the ATP Tour has been more difficult. Rune lost his opening matches in Tokyo and Shanghai and is still searching for his first tour-level victory since coming back. His withdrawal from Brussels removes another opportunity to gain momentum, with his physical condition remaining the immediate priority.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play in Brussels as planned,” Rune posted on social media. “My back has seized up, but fortunately, scans have confirmed that it’s nothing serious. So 2-3 days rest. Just really annoying and unfortunate timing,” Rune wrote.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play in Brussels as planned. My back has seized up, but fortunately, scans have confirmed that it’s nothing serious. So 2-3 days rest . Just really annoying and unfortunate timing
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) October 18, 2026

Rune’s recovery from the Achilles rupture has taken considerably longer than initially hoped. He had targeted a return at the Hamburg Open in May, but subsequently withdrew from Roland Garros and postponed his comeback in an attempt to be ready for the grass-court season. That plan also fell through, leaving him unable to compete at any of the four Grand Slam tournaments during the season.

A proposed return at the Cincinnati Open was also delayed. His mother explained that the priority was to rebuild his stamina before he returned to competition, underlining the physical demands of recovering from such a serious injury. Rune eventually made his comeback in the Davis Cup, where his two wins provided a positive starting point after the extended rehabilitation period.

The contrast between his Davis Cup performances and his subsequent ATP Tour results has been clear. Rune defeated Dimitrov and Iliyan Radulov in Denmark’s tie against Bulgaria, but was unable to carry that form into the Japan Open, where Kyrian Jacquet beat him 6-3, 6-1 in the first round.

Holger Rune smiles as he applauds the Indian Wells crowd

Holger Rune claps to the crowd at the Indian Wells Open

He then suffered another opening-round defeat at the Shanghai Masters. Rune took the first set 6-1 against Daniel Altmaier but eventually lost 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Despite the result, he said afterward that he felt he was moving in the right direction, pointing out that he had won more points than his opponent.

Ranking concerns grow as Dane looks to regain fitness

Rune’s prolonged absence has also had a substantial impact on his ranking. The Dane, who previously reached world No. 4, has fallen to No. 195 as he attempts to rebuild his position following the Achilles injury.

He is projected to drop outside the top 1,000 as further ranking points expire, illustrating the consequences of spending an extended period away from competition. The latest back problem is not believed to be serious, according to the medical evaluation Rune described, and the expected rest period is relatively short.

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Nevertheless, it represents an unwelcome interruption at a time when he needs matches to regain rhythm, confidence and the physical endurance required to compete regularly on the ATP Tour.

For now, Rune’s focus will be on recovering before deciding on his next steps. His Davis Cup performances showed that he can still produce encouraging results, but the defeats in Tokyo and Shanghai highlighted the work that remains ahead. After months of delays surrounding his Achilles recovery, the priority is to avoid further complications and give his return the best chance of progressing.

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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