“It can be done”: Roddick points to Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant when discussing Rune’s Achilles injury

Andy Roddick addressed Holger Rune’s season through a single, defining lens: injury. Speaking on his podcast, the former world No. 1 focused specifically on Rune’s Achilles rupture, making it clear that the discussion surrounding the Dane has shifted entirely. At just 22 years old, Rune has already managed to establish himself among the elite, particularly after lifting the Paris Masters title in 2022.

However, in the seasons that followed, while remaining a heavyweight presence on tour, he has struggled to fully cement himself as a consistent top-10 fixture or capture the major titles many expected. As he was battling toward a year-end return to the top 10, the unfortunate injury in Stockholm struck—an Achilles rupture that will keep him sidelined for several months.

Roddick emphasized that once an injury of this magnitude enters the equation, debates about form, tactics, or temperament become secondary. The former US Open champion stressed that serious injuries demand empathy first, especially when they affect players still building their careers rather than defending established legacies.

“All the preferences of when we’re talking about style of game and temperament, or if you’re critical about something—who gives a damn? At this point, we just want him to be healthy,” said the 2003 US Open champion. “An Achilles rupture when you’re 22, 23 years old, fighting to be on the upswing—that’s not anything anyone wants to see.”

Rune, a former world No. 4, entered the year aiming to stabilize his results after an uneven run at the Grand Slams. Achilles ruptures remain rare in tennis and carry long-term uncertainty. Roddick acknowledged the seriousness of the injury but pointed to examples from other sports where elite athletes have successfully returned, noting that Rune’s age provides a crucial margin for recovery.

Roddick referenced high-profile recoveries outside of tennis to underline that a return to elite competition remains possible. He cited Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant—both of whom suffered Achilles injuries later in their careers—as proof that the path back exists, suggesting Rune’s youth could ultimately work in his favor.

“It’s a major traumatic lower-leg injury at 22 years old. Kobe Bryant was able to do it. Kevin Durant was able to do it. It can be done, and if he makes a full recovery, the guy’s got ten more years of runway.”

The former American star also highlighted Rune’s response to the setback as an encouraging sign. Rather than retreating from the spotlight, Rune has remained visible and engaged, projecting optimism and accountability—qualities Roddick described as essential during long rehabilitation processes.

“If I’m coaching someone going through the exact same thing, I want them projecting all of the energy that Holger is projecting right now. That’s exactly what I’d be trying to sell.”

Roddick confirmed that Rune is expected to appear on the podcast ahead of the Australian Open to provide an update on his recovery. For now, expectations remain deliberately conservative, with Roddick suggesting that success would mean being fully healthy and realistically targeting the 2027 Australian Open rather than rushing milestones.

The conversation later shifted to Alexander Bublik, whose season offered a stark contrast. Where Rune’s year came to an abrupt halt, Bublik’s unfolded without logic. The Kazakh slipped outside the top 80 before reigniting his campaign with a Challenger title in Phoenix and notable wins over top players, including Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper.

Roddick described Bublik as unpredictable even by his own standards—capable of beating elite opponents one week and disappearing the next. That volatility, he argued, makes projections nearly impossible. “It makes no sense. It doesn’t make sense to him either. And I think, to his great credit, I’m as baffled as you are.”

Despite Bublik’s raw talent and athleticism, Roddick questioned whether sustained consistency is realistic. While ranking mathematics leave room for a climb, he remained skeptical about a stable top-20 future, noting that tennis ultimately rewards reliability over flashes of brilliance.

“If he doesn’t know what he’s going to do, how the hell are you supposed to guard against it? That’s what makes him fun—and impossible to predict.”