“You understand very little about sport” Matteo Berrettini calls out the ‘madness’ behind Rune injury reactions

Holger Rune’s season came to a heartbreaking end last weekend in Stockholm, drawing an outpouring of sympathy from across the tennis world — and a passionate defense from Matteo Berrettini. The Italian, who knows the pain of long injury layoffs himself, stepped forward after Rune’s shocking Achilles rupture to condemn what he saw as a lack of empathy in parts of the media.

The 22-year-old Dane collapsed mid-point during his semifinal against Ugo Humbert, clutching his leg in agony before being forced to retire at 2-2 in the second set. Hours later, Rune confirmed the worst: a complete rupture of his Achilles tendon.

“It’s gonna be a while before I can step on court again,” he wrote on Instagram. “It’s tough. I had so much joy on court in Stockholm, and it’s unbearable to think that I will not feel this energy for some time now. My Achilles is fully broken on the proximal part, meaning I need surgery next week and then rehabilitation.”

During the Schiaffo al volo podcast on Eurosport Italy, commentator Jacopo Lo Monaco suggested that Rune’s injury could actually turn into “the best thing that could have happened” to him — a remark intended to highlight how setbacks can inspire growth, but one that many felt crossed a line.

Berrettini, who has battled his own share of devastating injuries in recent seasons, was visibly angered by the lack of compassion behind such statements. He took to social media with a powerful message condemning the tone of the discussion. “Guys, I understand everything, really — but this stuff is truly chilling,” Berrettini wrote. “To think that an injury of this magnitude could be the best thing that could happen to a 22-year-old player ranked No. 11 in the world means one of two things: either you’re speaking in bad faith, or you understand very little about this sport — and about sports in general.”

“Competitive and personal maturity comes with time — with defeats, with victories, with matches lost after having match points, or maybe won while playing badly,” the former Wimbledon runner-up added. “This is an injury that can radically change a person’s life, let alone a career at this level. I usually listen and rarely comment, but this time it’s bordering on madness.”

Berrettini’s post resonated deeply with fans and fellow players who saw in his words the frustration of many athletes who feel misunderstood by media commentary. He didn’t hold back when describing how detached some analyses can sound.

“I understand wanting to talk, to give your opinion — always, no matter what,” he wrote. “But hearing someone say ‘the tendon went pop’ without a shred of compassion or sensitivity, as if we were describing a balloon bursting at a carnival, honestly gives me chills.”

He reminded listeners that injuries like Rune’s are far from abstract — they come with immense physical and emotional tolls. “Behind that injury there’s suffering — mental and physical — doubts, and moments so dark they can threaten the mental health of a very young guy,” he said. “Maybe I empathize too much, maybe I know what it’s like to watch certain things slip away without even having the chance to stop them, maybe I know how hard it is to come back from an injury.”

Berrettini also used the moment to call for a broader cultural shift in how the Italian sports media discuss player injuries and setbacks. “Maybe I’m mistaken, but I believe the change of attitude that Italian sports culture needs starts right here — with how things are told, and how certain topics are analyzed,” he wrote. “Putting a player’s potential results ahead of his health is not the right way to look at or comment on sports.”

“That said, Holger will come back, and he’ll be stronger than before. But trust me, no athlete in the world would ever want to go through an injury like that — even if you told them it could somehow help them improve their ranking or achieve a personal best.”

Rune’s 2025 season ended with a 36–22 record and a title in Barcelona, where he defeated world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Ranked No. 10 at the time of the injury, the Dane now faces a long road back — with recovery expected to take between six to nine months. Yet while most of the tennis community sent words of encouragement, one particular comment in Italy sparked outrage — and prompted Berrettini to speak out publicly.