Holger Rune’s Wimbledon exit marred by a recurring knee injury
Danish star vows rest after emotional and physical setback in first-round loss
Holger Rune at Wimbledon 2025 | © Antoine Couvercelle
Holger Rune’s Wimbledon campaign came to a disappointing halt on Monday as the Danish world No 8 exited the tournament in the first round, following a five-set loss to Chile’s Nicolás Jarry (4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4). Rune, who looked in control after taking the first two sets, saw the match slip away amid the return of a troubling knee injury that limited his movement and shot-making in the later stages.
Speaking after the defeat, the 21-year-old offered a candid assessment of both the match and his physical condition. “I started all right in the match, playing well,” Rune said. “Then third set, a bit unlucky. Fourth set, I started to feel my knee and got some treatment. I was never able to serve and hit my backhand as I did in the first two sets.”
Rune confirmed that the injury, while not new, had not bothered him for some time. “I’ve had it before,” he said, without giving details. “Especially being extremely low on the grass, it can bother that area. I didn’t expect it to come back, but it did.”
Despite the pain, Rune played down the role of external conditions in the loss. “Not at all,” he said when asked if the grass or weather were factors. “If I play normal, I’m beating him nine out of ten times — with all respect for Nicolás Jarry.”
The injury raised immediate concerns about Rune’s season going forward, though he emphasized the need for a medical evaluation before drawing any conclusions. “I’m going to check now with the head doctor and physio and will take it from there. I don’t know if it’s worse now, or better, or the same. It needs to be examined.”
Rune : “Of course I wanted to win Wimbledon”
The Dane, known for his fiery competitiveness, showed visible frustration when reflecting on the loss. “Of course I wanted to win Wimbledon,” he said in Danish.
“It’s not fun to leave. So it’s disappointing.” He dismissed speculation that low energy played a role in his collapse, insisting, “No, it was just the knee. Nothing wrong with my energy.”
Rune also revealed that this is not the first time the injury has struck during Wimbledon, recalling a similar – though less severe – issue during last year’s tournament and again in the off-season. “It’s a type of inflammation that moves around,” he explained. “It’s not dangerous, but it can take a long time to go away.”
With the Canadian Open in Toronto a month away, Rune said no decisions have been made about his upcoming schedule. “I haven’t planned anything yet. That’s not where my focus is right now. Now it’s time to rest at home.”
Though disappointed, Rune was characteristically philosophical. “I’ve had plenty of tough losses by now,” he said. “This is just another one.” Rune reached the second week of both the Australian Open and Roland-Garros this year. It’s his third first round exit in a Slam in his last eight appearances.
