Holger Rune’s strong run of form came to an unexpected stop at the Madrid Open, as the newly crowned Barcelona Open champion was forced to retire from his first match due to injury.
Just days after lifting the trophy in Barcelona, the 20-year-old Dane entered Madrid full of confidence and momentum. However, his tournament was cut short when physical issues prevented him from finishing his opening match.
Rune showed visible signs of discomfort from the outset, struggling with movement and appearing out of sorts. Despite pushing through as much as he could, the injury ultimately proved too much, leading him to withdraw mid-match and concede victory to his opponent.
The abrupt end to his Madrid campaign was met with disappointment by fans who had hoped to see Rune build on his recent success. Having rapidly climbed the ATP rankings with his dynamic baseline game and competitive edge, Rune has become one of the sport’s most talked-about young players.
His early retirement has sparked concern over the demands of the busy clay-court season, with many wondering whether the back-to-back tournaments may have taken a toll on his body. Rune had looked sharp and confident in Barcelona, where he put on a series of impressive performances en route to the title.
After the match, Rune shared a short message with fans: “I’m really disappointed I couldn’t finish today. I’ve been carrying a physical issue since Barcelona, and unfortunately, it got worse. I’ll take time to recover and come back stronger.”
With Roland Garros on the horizon, Rune and his team will be focused on his recovery and ensuring he’s fully fit for the year’s second Grand Slam. For now, his Madrid exit highlights just how demanding the professional tour can be — even for its youngest stars.
