Holger Rune Apologizes For Poor Performance In Buenos Aires: 'Brain Shuts Down'
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Holger Rune played a very bad match at the 2025 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, and he was well aware of that.
Rune made his way to Buenos Aires for the third time in his tennis career. In 2021, he lost in the first round to Albert Ramos Vinolas 6-2, 4-6, 3-6. In 2022, he lost in the first round to Sebastian Baez 6-7(4), 3-6.
This time, he didn't lose in the first round. As a second seed at the ATP 250 event, he had a first-round bye, but the Danish player lost in his first match in Buenos Aires again.
This time, Mariano Navone stunned the second seed, beating him 6-1, 7-6(2). That means Rune recorded three losses in three appearances in Buenos Aires, but it wasn't so much about the result, either.
Often during the match, the ATP World No. 12 player seemed disinterested in what was happening on the court. He often tried shortening the rallies too much. He rushed the net and sometimes produced shots that almost hit the fans in the front row, sitting behind the players.
Rune's performance was really puzzling, as it appeared he might be injured, given how much he tried to shorten the rallies. After his loss in Rotterdam last week, he admitted that he struggled with an illness, so that might have been still troubling him, and as he revealed after the match, it probably did.
Rune attempted to do something that not many players have tried. He played on the indoor hard courts in Rotterdam and then quickly moved to the clay courts in Buenos Aires.
His sickness, together with this demanding move, probably made things even worse for him, and he released a statement after the match, apologizing for not playing his best tennis.
"Absolutely not the result I wanted tonight. Thank you, Argentina, for having me. You have a beautiful country, and I felt welcome here."
"Looking back, I think it was too early to play after my influenza last week. My shoulder was not working, and the whole body seemed extremely vulnerable. I will take the time and get proper rest now."
"When the body is not there, the brain shuts down, and I am just very sorry I couldn’t deliver what I wanted on court today. Sorry, Argentina."
Rune's words could also be seen as a sign of worry for fans in Brazil. He is now scheduled to compete at the 2025 Rio Open, which is an ATP 500 event in Brazil.
However, it's possible that he might not be able to play in Rio, and instead focus on recovery to be healthy for the Sunshine Double.
