Holger Rune's schedule will change next year after the Dane's participation in two events in South America was confirmed.
2024 has been a challenging year for the 21-year-old. It started encouragingly after he reached the Brisbane International final in January, losing to Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets.
Unfortunately for the 2022 Paris Masters champion, his subsequent results have not matched 2022 or 2023. He has not reached another final in 2024 since his run in Brisbane.
Rune has also failed to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal so far this season. He will have a chance to change that statistic next week at the US Open, the year's final Grand Slam.
However, there were some positive signs for the Dane at last week's Cincinnati Open. Rune progressed to his first ATP Masters-1000 semifinal of 2024 in Ohio, ending Matteo Berrettini's 10-match winning streak in one of his victories.
Although the tournament was an improvement for Rune, it ended heartbreakingly. He led 5-2 in the deciding set against Frances Tiafoe and held two match points at 5-4 but could not close out the match.
His setbacks this year mean the two-time French Open champion is currently behind fellow young players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. One current player thinks Rune is a future Grand Slam champion, but he is not at Sinner or Alcaraz's level.
Rune may feel he needs to try something different after his difficult season so far. That could explain his decision to play during the South American Golden Swing, held in February 2025.
The former world No. 4 is set to play at two events in South America next year. One of these is the ATP-500 tournament at the Rio Open. The tournament announced the news in an excited post on the social media platform X.
"Get your throat ready to scream RUUUUUUUUNE because the Danish player is confirmed to debut in Brazil! At 21 years old, the tennis player is one of the biggest sensations on the circuit and promises to put on a show in Rio. See you soon, Holger Rune!"
Many top players are hesitant to play on clay in February since March's Masters-1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami are held on hard courts. That makes their delight at sealing Rune's participation understandable.
Rune's other appearance will be at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. This ATP-250 tournament is held the week before the Rio Open. When announcing Rune's involvement, the tournament said advance ticket sales were underway already.
Alexander Zverev will join the Dane in South America. This year's French Open runner-up confirmed his participation in Buenos Aires and Rio earlier this month, meaning two big names will compete at the events.
Tournament organizers at both tournaments will be relieved. Carlos Alcaraz played in Buenos Aires and Rio in 2022 and 2023, but reports indicate he will play at the Rotterdam Open next year.
Zverev and Rune's participation in both tournaments softens the blow of losing Alcaraz. It will be interesting to observe whether any other high-profile players choose to compete in South America.