"The long-term goal remains the same": Holger Rune pulls out of Wimbledon as comeback delayed

Holger Rune will miss Wimbledon after confirming that he is not yet ready to return to competition at the grass-court Grand Slam, which begins on June 29. The Danish former world No. 4 has been sidelined since suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury in October 2025.

The decision, communicated by his camp through a statement attributed to his mother and manager Aneke Rune, extends an absence that will now reach more than eight months by the time Wimbledon starts. Rune had initially targeted a return earlier in the season but has been forced to delay his comeback multiple times.

This week, Rune was also spotted training in Monte Carlo alongside Jannik Sinner, a session that generated cautious optimism among fans about his physical progression, even if it remains clear he is still not ready for competition.

The 23-year-old has not played since rupturing his Achilles tendon at the Stockholm Open, an injury that required surgery and a long rehabilitation process. Attempts to return during the clay season were unsuccessful, with withdrawals from Hamburg, Roland-Garros and Queen’s confirming the setbacks in his recovery timeline.

Rune’s camp provided an update highlighting encouraging signs in his recovery, even as the decision to skip Wimbledon was confirmed. The statement emphasized that his physical progress remains stable, particularly in terms of load tolerance on court.

"After a thorough assessment, we have decided that Holger will not participate in Wimbledon this year. His rehabilitation continues to progress very well. Both the Achilles tendon and the knee are responding positively, and he is making steady progress in all areas. All scans also look good. His movement on the court is getting better and better, and he is now able to train at a high level for a longer period of time without problems."

The message underlined that while Rune is not yet ready for competition intensity, his training capacity has increased significantly in recent weeks. The team described his progression as controlled and consistent, but not sufficient to meet Grand Slam demands at this stage.

Rune himself also addressed the situation directly, framing the withdrawal as part of a longer recovery strategy rather than a setback in isolation.

"Missing Wimbledon is not an easy decision, but the long-term goal remains the same: To come back stronger and be ready to compete at the highest level. I'm getting closer every day and it's very satisfying to feel the progress. The spirits are high - see you soon."

Rune’s camp provided an update highlighting encouraging signs in his recovery, even as the decision to skip Wimbledon was confirmed. The statement published by TV2 Denmark emphasized that his physical progress remains stable, particularly in terms of load tolerance on court.

"After a thorough assessment, we have decided that Holger will not participate in Wimbledon this year. His rehabilitation continues to progress very well. Both the Achilles tendon and the knee are responding positively, and he is making steady progress in all areas. All scans also look good. His movement on the court is getting better and better, and he is now able to train at a high level for a longer period of time without problems."

The message underlined that while Rune is not yet ready for competition intensity, his training capacity has increased significantly in recent weeks. The team described his progression as controlled and consistent, but not sufficient to meet Grand Slam demands at this stage.

Rune himself also addressed the situation directly, framing the withdrawal as part of a longer recovery strategy rather than a setback in isolation.

"Missing Wimbledon is not an easy decision, but the long-term goal remains the same: To come back stronger and be ready to compete at the highest level. I'm getting closer every day and it's very satisfying to feel the progress. The spirits are high - see you soon."

Rune has been out of competition since October 2025 and has now missed multiple key events across both clay and grass seasons. His attempted comeback during the spring was repeatedly delayed, including withdrawals from Hamburg, Roland-Garros and Queen’s, as the team prioritized long-term recovery over competitive return dates.

His absence has already had a notable impact on his ranking. Rune dropped 16 positions in the ATP Rankings this week to No. 79, reflecting his extended period away from competition. While his Wimbledon withdrawal will only cost him 10 ranking points due to his early first-round exit in 2025, the decision is still expected to trigger additional movement down the rankings.

However, the damage remains relatively contained for now, meaning he is still projected to start the North American hard-court swing inside the top 100. That positioning will be important for direct entry into ATP events as he continues his rehabilitation and prepares for a potential return later in the summer or early autumn.

Rune’s appearance last week at the Mouratoglou Academy, where he trained and attended a graduation event, suggests gradual reintegration into competitive environments, although no official return date has been confirmed.