"I'm too young to have these kinds of problems": Rune dismays at recent injury woes after snapping losing streak in Beijing

Holger Rune snapped a four-match losing streak and a poor run of form since reaching the latter stages of Wimbledon which came down to illness and injury which at one point he feared he couldn't shift.

But in seeing off Felix Auger-Aliassime on his Beijing debut, he dispelled some doubt and he was pleased with how his body performed lamenting his recent back problems which have kept him off court. He mooted that he had no pain in seeing off the Canadian.

“I was feeling very good. I didn’t feel anything in my body,” said Rune. “This is good. I don’t mind muscle soreness, but I’m too young to have these kinds of problems, so it’s good to feel good out there. I’m feeling healthy, taking care of my body and I’m super happy to play without pain and just enjoy myself.”

He said pre-tournament that he has kept himself off the tour for a reason and that was until he was back 100% which he is now and he says he is getting closer to his best again which he will aim to show in the remainder of this week in China.

“I’ve been struggling with my back for a while now," he said prior to the tournament.

“Even playing tournaments while having pain. After my last Davis Cup match I told myself that I’m not going to come back to the tour until I am 100 percent – I am now.”

“I’ve managed to get rid of what I needed to get rid of and I’m back feeling closer to what I used to feel.”