Holger Rune is planning to make his long-awaited return from injury at the Hamburg Open next month.
The Danish star hasn’t been seen on court since tearing his Achilles tendon at last year’s Stockholm Open.
Several ex-players have shared their concerns about his return date, including Steve Johnson, who labelled Rune’s comeback a ‘bad idea’.
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Former Grand Slam finalist, Greg Rusedski, has now delivered his verdict.
Greg Rusedski thinks Holger Rune might need ‘a little bit more time’ before returning
During the latest episode of ‘Off Court Cuts‘, Rusedski said the following.
“Holger [Rune] said he’s going to come back in Hamburg, which he announced in Monte Carlo to all the media,” said Rusedski.
“From my point of view, it’s better to be safer, take more time.
“That’s where the coach and the team around the player have to say, ‘Ok, let’s talk to the doctor, let’s look at the physio, I don’t want you back until you’re 100% fit.’ If you can do that and convince the player, that’s a great job in coaching and physiotherapy.
“That’s why the whole team has to be united.
“If they’re not united, problems occur. If everybody is pushing and pulling, trying to do a good job, and then overtraining the player, and not training them in a specific manner.
“Holger is a little bit unlucky; he pulled his Achilles, which is a terrible injury to come back from.
“I’m happy to hear about his comeback, but maybe it needs a little bit more time, we’re going to wait and see.”
Rusedski, like many others, is concerned that Rune is rushing his comeback.
Full recoveries from Achilles tendon injuries can take over a year, while Rune is set to return after just seven months.
But why is Rune moving so fast?
Holger Rune has fallen out of the world’s top 30
Sitting on the sidelines, Rune’s ranking is heading in the wrong direction.
Having once been ranked as high as fourth in the world, Rune now sits 39th in the Live Rankings.
Live ATP Rankings
| Rank | Name | Country | Points | Career-high rank |
| 35th | Denis Shapovalov | Canada | 1,210 | 10th |
| 36th | Gabriel Diallo | Canada | 1,200 | 33rd |
| 37th | Alex Michelsen | USA | 1,200 | 30th |
| 38th | Jaume Munar | Spain | 1,135 | 33rd |
| 39th | Holger Rune | Denmark | 1,120 | 4th |
| 40th | Sebastian Korda | USA | 1,100 | 15th |
| 41st | Tomas Machac | Czechia | 1,080 | 20th |
| 42nd | Rafael Jodar | Spain | 1,080 | 42nd |
| 43rd | Alejandro Tabilo | Chile | 1,068 | 19th |
| 44th | Zizou Bergs | Belgium | 1,060 | 39th |
He fell 12 places this week, unable to defend the 500 points he earned from winning the Barcelona Open title a year ago.
As things stand, Rune will be unseeded for the French Open, meaning he could face the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz from the very first round.
Ideally, Rune would have a seed next to his name and avoid the top players early on.
Holger Rune’s record at the French Open
- 2022 French Open – Lost in QF to Casper Ruud
- 2023 French Open – Lost in QF to Casper Ruud
- 2024 French Open – Lost in 4R to Alexander Zverev
- 2025 French Open – Lost in 4R to Lorenzo Musetti
At 39th in the world, Rune is still within touching distance of the top-32 (seeded spots), but will need to return soon if he is to have any chance of making the cut.
Perhaps that pressure influenced Rune’s decision to return at the Hamburg Open…
The 2026 Hamburg Open begins on Monday, May 18.
