Heartbreak in Stockholm: tearful Rune retires with suspected torn Achilles
Ugo Humbert benefited from the abandonment of Holger Rune (4-6, 2-2) on Saturday. He’ll play the winner of the match between Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the No 3 seed, and Norwegian Casper Ruud, the second seed, for the title
Holger Rune injured, Stockholm 2025 | © Anders Wiklund/AP/SIPA
Sad scene in Stockholm this Saturday. Top seed Holger Rune was forced to retire due to a left foot injury. The Dane was leading by one set in his semifinal at the Swedish Open against Ugo Humbert (6-4, 2-2) when he was no longer able to continue.
After a lateral movement, Rune felt something in his foot and immediately stopped running. In tears on his chair, with the doctor and physio by his side, the 22-year-old shook hands with his opponent before leaving the court on one leg…
“I believe that I have torn my Achilles,” Rune said when he received treatment. His mother and manager Aneke Rune wrote in an SMS to Danish media EkstraBladet that it is likely a torn Achilles heel – just as Holger suspected.
The unfortunate incident benefits Ugo Humbert, who advances to the tenth ATP final of his career, and his second in 2025 after Marseille. The Frenchman had secured an early break in the first set before Rune fought back to take the lead, only to be stopped by injury.
Ruud or Shapovalov in the final
“It’s not the way I wanted to win. I just hope he’s okay,” said Humbert after the match. “There’s not much more to say. He was playing better than me, but that’s all I can say for now.”
The Frenchman will face the winner of the match between Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the No 3 seed, and Norwegian Casper Ruud, the second seed, next. Ahead of his victory, Ugo Humbert won against Italian Lorenzo Sonego (6-7 (3), 6-0, 6-3) and Italian Matteo Berrettini (7-6 (5), 6-3).
The 22-year-old Dane’s season seems now in limbo, as he was running after a spot at the ATP Finals. He edged out Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry (6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4) and defeated Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (6-4, 6-4) in the previous rounds of the Stockholm tournament.
Stockholm ATP 250, other semi-final result (Kungliga Tennishallen, hard, EUR 706.850):
- Denis Shapovalov vs. Casper Ruud
