STOCKHOLM, 19 October (H.S.): The world of professional tennis was shaken Saturday as a severe injury to Holger Rune, one of its brightest young stars, amplified urgent calls from top players to reform the sport’s grueling calendar. The Danish 22-year-old’s season came to a devastating end after he suffered a suspected torn Achilles tendon during his semifinal match at the Nordic Open.
Rune, who was on the verge of re-entering the world’s top 10, was leading Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-4, 2-2 when he collapsed in agony after leaping for a ball. The top-seeded player was visibly emotional and in tears as he was assisted off the court, immediately aware of the gravity of the situation.
His mother, Aneke Rune, later confirmed to Danish media that medical staff were completely sure that it is a torn Achilles tendon, describing the injury as very bad and her son as completely devastated.
The incident prompted an immediate reaction from British number one Jack Draper, who has also had his season cut short by injury.
Injuries are going to happen… we are pushing our bodies to do things they aren’t supposed to in elite sport, Draper stated on social media. He added a stark warning: The tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity.
The issue of player burnout and physical strain has been a recurring theme. The same day, tennis great Novak Djokovic retired from his third-place playoff match against Taylor Fritz at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, citing physical issues after a punishing 76-minute first set. This follows his recent struggles with injury and sickness at the Shanghai Masters.
This spate of injuries is not an isolated trend. A growing list of high-profile players have been forced to end their seasons prematurely, including:Naomi Osaka, who withdrew from the Japan Open with a leg problem.Emma Raducanu, who called time on her season after retiring from two consecutive matches due to illness.Iga Swiatek, who complained in September that the season is too long and too intense.
Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, and Paula Badosa, who all cited injuries or the need for a break from the tour.Players like Carlos Alcaraz have also been vocal, stating in September that the congested calendar is going to kill us in some way.
The increasing physicality of the modern game, combined with a packed schedule, appears to be taking a significant toll, sparking a critical debate on the need for systemic change to protect the sport’s athletes.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
