“Patience Pays Off”: Holger Rune Breaks Silence on Achilles Timeline – 2026 Season Not Lost Yet!
Holger Rune has offered an encouraging and reflective update on his prolonged recovery from a ruptured left Achilles tendon, emphasizing that patience and hard work are yielding results and insisting his 2026 campaign remains very much alive.
In an exclusive interview with ATPTour.com published in early February 2026, the 22-year-old Dane broke his relative silence on the exact timeline, describing his rehab as progressing “really well” and even “ahead of schedule” in some aspects. Rune, who suffered the injury during his semifinal clash against Ugo Humbert at the Stockholm Open in October 2025—retiring in visible distress after leading 6-4, 2-2—underwent successful surgery shortly afterward. He has since been methodically rebuilding strength, mobility, and confidence.
Rune highlighted the importance of a measured approach: “There are strict guidelines and steps that cannot be skipped.” He revealed inspiration from a footballer who contacted him after enduring the same injury and returned in just four months, though he stressed adhering to medical protocols rather than rushing. “My surgeon said it’s going really, really well. I’m setting new standards for Achilles rupture recovery in a way,” Rune shared. “It’s not because I’m rushing anything. I’m just working on what the specialists are telling me and then I’m putting a big, big effort in it, which helps a lot.”
Key milestones in his comeback include hitting without a protective boot on Christmas Day 2025, progressing to two-footed on-court practice around 10 weeks post-surgery, achieving balanced leg strength in recent gym sessions, and gradually incorporating higher-impact elements like potential split-steps as early as February targets. In a separate podcast appearance on “Served with Andy Roddick,” Rune discussed the mental grind of the layoff, noting how the forced break has helped him mature, scout top players more deeply, and refocus on long-term physical and mental health.
While no firm return date has been set—typical Achilles recoveries for elite athletes span 6-12 months or more—Rune’s updates signal optimism for a mid-to-late 2026 comeback, potentially targeting the grass or hard-court swing later in the year. He has described the injury as a “slap in the face” that forced reflection, vowing to emerge stronger and more balanced in his approach to the game.
Fans and experts alike have praised his transparency and work ethic during this challenging period. With endorsements from figures like Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek affirming Rune’s Grand Slam-level talent, the message is clear: the 2026 season is far from lost. As Rune continues loading his comeback—”#comebackloading” remains his mantra—tennis enthusiasts are rallying behind the fiery Dane, eager for his explosive baseline game to light up the tour once more. Patience, it seems, is indeed paying off.
