"Sometimes it gets a bit too real" - Holger Rune condemns spreading of false information by parody social media accounts

The advent of social media has given fans quick access to information regarding their favorite celebrities and athletes. However, some social media accounts specialize in spreading fake information, and they have been called out by Danish tennis star, Holger Rune.

The former World No.4 is currently competing at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, where he is the seventh seed. After defeating American Alex Michelsen in his third round match, Rune will face another American when he takes on Frances Tiafoe for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Like several other individuals in the public spotlight, Rune has had his fair share of encounters with the negative side of social media. Late last month, some parody social media accounts published fake screenshots which were supposed to be direct messages from Rune's mother and manager, Aneke.

Rune would publicly denounce these messages. The 22-year old would label the screenshots as "fake info" and urge fans to report any so-called messages in the future.

“Please do report accounts faking like this,” Rune wrote to fans on Twitter at the time.

Following his second round win over Roman Safiullin on Saturday, Rune would express his thoughts on fake social medai accounts.

“I like jokes, I like fun, all of this,” clarified the Gentofte native. “But sometimes it gets a bit too real in a way—even though it’s fake. That’s when I don’t think it’s necessary. Obviously, it’s tough to control the whole internet!
I think some posts where it looks too real even though it’s super fake, those are not nice. It’s a little bit provocative, as well, but I suppose everyone can do what they want."

Although several of these posts by parody accounts are too absurd to be legitimate, a few toe the line between reality and fabrication. These often copy the style of a real newspaper article, complete with a quote and accompanying image of the said player. However, they lack a link to the original source, which tends to give them away.