As the 2026 ATP season rolls into motion, one of the sport’s brightest young stars remains stuck on the sidelines - watching from afar but refusing to disappear from the conversation. Holger Rune, who was forced into an abrupt halt after suffering a brutal Achilles injury last October, continues to rebuild himself step by step. Recently, the Dane even shared an update about his recovery process from that serious injury.

The 22-year-old underwent surgery after tearing the proximal part of his Achilles during the Stockholm Open SF against Ugo Humbert - a moment he describes as “feeling like the ground was sinking, like being in the middle of an earthquake.” Since then, Rune has made social media his window to the world, offering regular snapshots of his rehab. During a previous interview with Marca, Rune revealed February 12th - four months post-surgery- as a milestone date.

Recently, Holger Rune appeared on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast. Almost one month before his milestone date, the Dane shared an update with his fans. He said, “Things are going really well, actually. Obviously really devastated when it happened. We were very unsure what was going on, we got it checked immediately, and it was kind of the worst thing that could have happened for my Achilles. But, anyway, now I’m doing much better, doing a lot of rehab.”

He spoke about his mental state - something that often goes overlooked in long-term injuries. Rune credits his team, family, and friends for keeping him grounded and optimistic. He also admitted that being open about his recovery has been intentional, not accidental.

When Andy Roddick asked why he chose to be so transparent. The answer was simple and heartfelt. “I know how much the fans mean for me, and I think I just have the opinion, the more I can share of my journey, the better. There’s nothing to hide; it is a tough moment, there is a lot of work to do, it’s not a secret.”

Holger Rune said he wants people to see everything - the tough moments, the slow days, the frustration, and the victories. However, according to the Dane, things are finally “a little more fun” now, he admitted. “I’m on two legs now without crutches. So, it’s a better moment; it’s more fun now, for sure.” But is he rushing a bit with his recovery process, especially to hit the court once again against the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?

Is Holger Rune ahead of schedule?

Holger Rune has always been known for his electric pace - both in the way he strikes a ball and in the way he climbs a ranking list. But now, in the unfamiliar position of being forced to slow down, Rune is learning a completely different rhythm. And when asked whether he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery from the Achilles injury he suffered last year, the Dane offered a surprisingly grounded perspective.

“There is no ahead or behind schedule, because it really depends on the person; everybody recovers in their own time. Some can take really long, some can take short. We obviously looked into everything when the injury happened: who came back fast, who came back slow, why they came back fast, why they got the green light.”

He added that he has been maximizing every day, putting all his effort into recovery and following what his surgeon and physio have been saying. “It keeps me motivated, because I have very clear goals, ‘I need to be able to do this in 10 days’, that keeps me excited.”

Every tennis fan wants to see him back in action, competing against the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. During the same podcast, he also opened up on his development as a player amid the dominance of these two. 

“It’s both motivating, and it can also be frustrating, but again, you know, I just try to focus on my own path. I think when I’m ready and when everything is worked on well enough, then my time will come, and I think everybody goes at their own pace. Carlos was extremely early when he not just broke through but started to win grand slams. He was 19. Jannik was a bit later.”

For now, Holger Rune is not rushing to beat a timeline. He’s not trying to match Alcaraz or Sinner step for step. He’s learning patience and, perhaps, rediscovering joy.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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