“It's Going To Be Different” — Rune Faces Emotional Return in Stockholm

Rune returns to scene of his ultimate nightmare in Stockholm

It was the court where he won, and the court where it all fell apart. Now, almost a year after collapsing in agony in Stockholm, Holger Rune is back older, wiser, and ready to rewrite the ending.

Rune back in Stockholm one year after career-altering achilles injury...

 

Holger Rune is walking straight back into his worst nightmare in Stockholm.

On Monday, the Dane returns to the Stockholm Open at the Kungliga Tennishallen the very same court where, one year ago, an Achilles tendon rupture changed the course of his career.

It happened in October 2025, in the middle of his semifinal against Ugo Humbert. Rune collapsed in agony, tore his left Achilles tendon, and left the court in tears knowing surgery, and months on the sidelines, were waiting for him.

The setback kept the Danish star out for 11 months of gruelling recovery, before the 23-year-old finally made his comeback to competition this September.

“It was scary stuff,” Rune told http://ATPTour.com, reflecting on his 2025 injury. “We didn't quite know what had happened in the beginning, but getting back and being able to play there already the year after is amazing.

“Usually, we play tennis and come back here the following year as if nothing happened, but a lot happened in between. I'm very happy to play here. It's really close to home, and there are so many Danish fans there as well, so I can't wait.”

Rune has already dipped his toes back into competition this autumn  winning matches for Denmark at the Davis Cup and fighting his way to the quarter-finals at the Basel Indoors. Now, he arrives in Stockholm on a wild card, ready for the next step.

Holger Rune will play his first match in Stockholm since his injury… against Zizou Bergs on Tuesday. 🇸🇪🔥 3rd match of the day on the central court. Not before 6 PM. Vamos @holgerrune2003 🔥 https://t.co/tPWASyveEc

— PrinceHolger (@PrinceHolger_) November 9, 2026

His first test comes today against Belgium's Zizou Bergs. On paper it's just an opening-round match, but for Rune it is so much more a return to a tournament he once conquered, and to the court where his career was turned upside down.

“It's going to be a different feeling,” Rune said. “Obviously, it's going to be a bit overwhelming as well, even though I've already gone through my comeback and getting back to the Tour. But I think that's part of it. It's not Stockholm's fault that I got injured. I love the tournament and have great memories of winning there in the past. I just want to come back, give a massive effort and hopefully do well.”