Holger Rune’s Disappointing Exit at Roland Garros 2025
In a disappointing turn of events at the 2025 Roland Garros, Holger Rune exited in the fourth round after facing off against Lorenzo Musetti. This setback drew the critique of tennis legend John McEnroe, who elaborated on Rune’s current standing among the elite players in the sport.
Rune’s Current Position in Tennis
At just 22 years old, Rune has emerged as one of the premier talents in tennis, placing him second among under-23 players on the ATP Tour, following the rising star Carlos Alcaraz. Among players under 25, Rune finds himself in a competitive field, with Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper, and Musetti all ranking higher. Despite reaching a peak ranking of World No. 4 just a short while ago, Rune’s trajectory seems to have stuttered amid a landscape dominated by Sinner and Alcaraz, the latter of whom has already amassed four Grand Slam titles, and Sinner three.
McEnroe’s Insights on Rune’s Potential
Reflecting on Rune’s potential after his loss, McEnroe noted, “I thought Holger would be the third member of this new Big Three alongside Alcaraz and Sinner. However, he has much to prove to truly compete with the top players.”
He recalled Rune’s attitude after a previous defeat to Casper Ruud, where he seemed dismissive about losing, exhibiting a sense of disbelief at such an outcome. McEnroe commented, “It’s taken him time to grasp what it takes to reach the upper echelons of the sport,” acknowledging Rune’s journey towards maturity and understanding of the game.
Areas for Improvement
McEnroe identified areas where Rune needs further development, particularly regarding his physical fitness and mental resilience during matches. He pointed out that under high-pressure conditions, notably on the hottest match days, Rune has sometimes shown signs of abandoning his efforts when facing adversity.
“It seemed like he was ready to give up, showing visible negativity on the court during crucial moments,”
said McEnroe.
Optimism for the Future
Despite these observations, McEnroe expressed optimism about Rune’s potential to join Alcaraz and Sinner as a solid contender for Grand Slam titles in the future. He highlighted that there are a handful of players, including Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul, who could also elevate their standings soon.
In a competitive and evolving landscape of young tennis talent, McEnroe firmly believes Rune can still close the gap and challenge for the top positions in the sport, especially with some focused effort on his physical and mental conditioning. The road ahead is challenging but promising for the talented Dane.
