Holger Rune's Monte Carlo Nightmare: Illness Forces Retirement

Holger Rune's disappointing start to the clay season continues as illness forces him to retire in Monte Carlo, leaving his mother and agent frustrated.

Holger Rune had a disappointing start to the clay season, losing in the first round of the ATP tournament in Monte Carlo to Nuno Borges from Portugal. The Dane was forced to withdraw from the match after losing the first set 6-2 and trailing 0-3 in the second set.

Rune retires ill 🤒

Hope you recover quickly, Holger!#RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/ugZDCCO69G

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 8, 2025

Rune had been struggling with illness in the days leading up to the tournament and called a doctor over to examine him during the match. Despite attempting to continue playing, he ultimately decided to withdraw. His mother and agent, Aneke Rune, expressed her disappointment, saying, “It's a tournament that means so much to him. This hurts.”

Holger Rune's retirement from the Monte Carlo tournament was particularly painful, given his close connection to the event. The Dane lives in Monaco and trains on the same courts where the tournament is held, making his withdrawal even more frustrating.

His mother and agent, Aneke Rune, expressed her disappointment and frustration, saying, “I simply don't understand how he can be so unlucky. I know there are two other players who also have a stomach virus. But why Holger again?” She added that Rune had been taking care of himself, saying, “He hasn't been out, he's been sleeping and living healthily. It's terrible for him to be hit right here. It could happen at any other tournament, but just not right here.” Rune's next tournament will be the ATP 500 event in Barcelona.