Holger Rune was expected to be the top seed at the 2023 Moselle Open in Metz but has pulled out from the event.
Rune changed his mind following qualification at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin which is scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 12. With the Moselle Open kicking off next week, the Dane is not taking any chances with his body now that his place in Turin is secured.
The 20-year-old was sitting precariously in eighth spot in the live race going to the Paris Masters this past week and was the player in most danger of missing out. As many as three players looked to overtake him in Bercy.
But a quarterfinal run there, coupled with results going his way following the elimination of the likes of Hubert Hurkacz, Tommy Paul, and Alex de Minaur meant that this year's race to Turin was done and dusted at the last stop of the ATP 1000 tournaments.
Rune will now join a host of top names in withdrawing from Metz, which will commence on Sunday, November 5. Aside from the Dane, at least five of the world's Top 20 players have pulled out including Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz, and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Rune's place in the draw will now go to a lucky loser with the qualifying draw expected to conclude on Sunday, the same day the main draw will begin. This is obviously unfortunate timing for the tournament officials who have had to put up with the late scheduling of the event and now grappling to retain some of the world's best players in the draw.
For Rune, one of the major objectives he tasked Boris Becker to help him has now been achieved. Their partnership was documented to last until the end of the 2023 season. But it is looking increasingly likely the German great will be part of the team for the upcoming season having steered his protege's campaign back on track.
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