Holger Rune is a professional tennis player. Born on April 29, 2003, in Denmark, Rune has made a name for himself in the tennis world at a young age. While there have been rumors and speculations about his sexual orientation, it is important to remember that an individual's sexual orientation should not define their athletic abilities or achievements. Rune's talent and dedication to the sport are what have propelled him to become one of the most promising young tennis players. He has achieved success in the junior circuit, winning the junior French Open in 2019 and reaching the number one spot in the junior rankings. Such accomplishments indicate his exceptional skill and potential in the sport.

Holger Rune: ‘I think if everybody was the same, it would be a bit boring’

D uring the quarter-finals of the Italian Open last week in Rome, Holger Rune was deep in battle with Novak Djokovic on one of the most meaningful courts of the then No 1’s career. It is a measure of his talent that not only was he winning the encounter, but that it was not a surprise.

As Djokovic forced himself back into the match, however, Rune’s growing tension was palpable. It eventually exploded. When the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, came down from his chair to rule one of Djokovic’s shots had touched the line, Rune was incensed. He called Lahyani an “absolute joke” and demanded to know whether umpires are penalised for their mistakes. As his team tried to calm him down, Rune slumped in his chair and sighed. “It’s always the umpire who makes me look like the bad guy,” he said.

After nearly two months of the European clay season, Rune has emerged as one of the most successful players, alongside his fellow 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz. He has shown at the same time that he is one of the sport’s most unpredictable figures.

“It’s a fine balance,” says Rune of ensuring that his on-court intensity helps him. “Because people see it in different ways, which is fine, I respect it. But everybody’s different on the court, everybody plays differently and I think this is part of the game. I think if everybody was the same, it would be a bit boring. So, I like variety.”

Rune’s path towards the top of the game has been unusual. It is not just that Denmark tends not to produce top players, but there are barely any professional Danish tennis players at all. Rune is the only Dane inside the top 400 of the ATP rankings and only four others are inside the top 1000. Before Rune, Caroline Wozniacki was a similar Danish anomaly. Rune notes that no national federation helped guide him at the beginning of his career.

“We had to do it by ourselves,” he says. “We didn’t have a federation that took [the] cause for you or anything like that. We had to dig deep but it’s also what makes being here more admirable and exciting because I know where I came from, and it’s just a lot of hard work and dedication every day.”

While he has arrived in the top 10 quickly, Rune’s trajectory has been consistent. He was a junior No 1, winning the French Open boys title in 2019. As a professional, Rune’s career truly began after the 2020 Covid hiatus when old ATP ranking points were frozen, meaning it was much more difficult to scale the rankings. Still, Rune won five ATP Challenger events between 2021 and 2022 and he eventually overcame a significant cramping issue to nestle himself inside the top 100.

Holger Rune (left) after defeating Novak Djokovic in Rome. The Serb said of Rune: ‘He kind of reminds me a little bit [of me], the way he plays.’ Photograph: Insidefoto/Shutterstock

The most striking part of Rune’s game is how well-rounded it is. He is a tremendous athlete with great defence, solid and potent off both forehand and backhand wings, making it difficult for opponents to target any specific weakness. His serve has improved significantly but he is an excellent returner. “He kind of reminds me a little bit [of me], the way he plays,” said Djokovic in Rome.

Rune pairs his solid foundations with feel and instinctiveness, peppering opponents with drop shots and freely approaching the net, a style he describes as more risky but worthwhile. “I feel like these days every player is super powerful from the baseline and they stay there a lot. And I feel like mixing up the game is still really effective,” says Rune.

Last year, Rune offered a glimpse of his talent and potential, with both of his breakthrough tournaments occurring in the same city. First he reached his first major quarter-final at the French Open, picking off Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas en route. Five months later, he pulled off an even more outlandish achievement.

At the Paris Masters, Rune became the first ATP player to defeat five top-10 players in a single conventional tournament. After upsetting Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Alcaraz (who retired in the second set tie-break due to injury) and Félix Auger-Aliassime, he produced the performance of his life to defeat Djokovic 7-5 in the third set of the final.

“It takes a lot,” says Rune on what he learned from the experience. “It’s not easy, I tell you. It’s a lot of hard work. If you stop doing the hard work, you’re finished, boom. And you have to be able to maintain your high level every time you step on the court.

“Today, for example, I practised with Rublev. I kept my level good in the first set, but then I stepped a little bit down and – boom – he killed me. You have to be able to stay there and even raise it if necessary.”

Tennis Player Holger Rune Yells Gay Slurs During Match

Eighteen-year-old Danish tennis player Holger Rune is the subject of a current investigation by the ATP tour after yelling gay slurs during a match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the semi-finals of the Biella Challenger in Italy on Sunday. During the match, Rune uttered the phrases ‘you are a pussy player’ and ‘you are playing like a faggot ass’ to his opponent, then proceeded to shout ‘Allez, faggot’ when winning a point during a match. The ATP confirmed the news via a statement issued to TV2 on Monday, saying that they are investigating the incident under the official code of conduct (section 8.04).

“ATP is committed to ensuring an inclusive environment for all players, staff and fans, and there is absolutely no room for homophobic remarks in tennis,” the statement read. “According to section 8.04 N.2 of the Player Code of Conduct, ATP is in the process of investigating the comments of Holger Rune during a match on Saturday 5 June 2021 in ATP Challenger 80 in Biella.”

Homophobic Slurs Spark outrage

The former World Number One Junior’s comments sparked outrage across social media with many quick to call him out. In response and in somewhat of an apology, Rune alleged that the words were not directed at his opponent, but at himself.

“I want to take the opportunity to apologise if I offended anyone for using some bad wording to myself in my semi-final yesterday during some tough points. I am sorry for that, and this will of course not happen again.” Rune posted on Instagram. However, this was not Rune initial wording, as was pointed out by Tennis podcaster James, Rogers posted on a twitter a screenshot of the original statement, which read”“I want to take the opportunity to apologise if I offended anyone for using some bad wording to myself in my semi-final yesterday. I love diversity more than anyone I know and people that know, they no that! Sorry for not being as perfect as you all expect.” “I don’t care about H*lger R*ne but this is one of the shittiest apologies I’ve ever seen” Rogers aptly captioned the post.

Homophobia In Sports

Unfortunately, Rune isn’t the first professional sports player this year to use such an excuse, after golf player Justin Thomas was similarly forced to apologised for using the word “faggot” during Tournament Of Champions in Hawaii. Realising that his initial apology had done more harm than good and now on damage control Rune was quick to offer an second apology, this time saying “I’m young and I need to learn. Not that that allows me to say crap like that. I was taught a lesson, and I think it’s fair that people criticise (me). I’m really sorry and hope people will accept my apology,” Yet the same day as Rune issued his apology, his mother and manager Aneke Rune hit out at V2 for ‘harassing’ her son for what she described as a ‘wrong comment’ saying that they were trying to ‘make news and gossip from a hard-working young man.’ “If you are a man you can apologise as Holger did if anyone felt offended by his words to himself in the match. Do NOT harass Holger for a wrong comment TV2 and who else is out there trying to make news and gossip from a hard working young man,” Aneke wrote on Instagram. Rune is currently ranked 291st in the world, having claimed the French Open boys’ title in 2019 and recently won his maiden Challenger title in Biella. It is unknown, what if any disciplinary action Rune is now set to face for using such derogatory language. If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14 For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.

Former Junior World No.1 Holger Rune Under Investigation Over Homophobic Comments

The 18-year-old has apologised for shouting remarks such as “allez, faggot” during his match and insists that he has nothing against the LGBT community. At the same time his mother has accused the media of trying to sensationalise the incident for their own gratification in a social media post which has now been deleted.

The ATP has launched an official investigation into comments made by a former junior world No.1 during a Challenger tournament in Italy.

Rising star Holger Rune is accused of making homophobic comments during his semi-final clash against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Biella Open on Saturday. In a video uploaded on social media, the Dane was caught saying in his native language ‘you are a pussy player’ and ‘you are playing like a faggot ass.’ Shortly after saying those phrases, he shouted ‘Allez, faggot’ when winning a point.

The comments from the youngster prompted backlash on social media with many fans criticising him for his choice of words. On his official Instagram account, Rune stated that his words were directed at himself and nobody else.

Amid the controversy, Rune issued a statement to TV2.dk where he apologised for the remarks and to anybody who he might have offended by his words. He also apologised on his Instagram account.

“I’m young and I need to learn. Not that that allows me to say crap like that. I was taught a lesson, and I think it’s fair that people criticise (me). I’m really sorry and hope people will accept my apology,” he said.

However, on the same day as Rune issued his statement his mother accused TV2 of ‘harassing’ her son for what she described as a ‘wrong comment.’ Aneke Rune, who is also the manager of the tennis player, hit out at those who she claims are trying to ‘make news and gossip from a hard working young man.’

“If you are a man you can apologise as Holger did if anyone felt offended by his words to himself in the match. Do NOT harass Holger for a wrong comment TV2 and who else is out there trying to make news and gossip from a hard working young man,” Aneke wrote on Instagram.

The post published by Rune’s manager has since been deleted but one of those backing her was Patrick Mouratoglou who wrote ‘very well said Haneke, ignore them.’ Rune trains at Mouratoglou’s academy in France.

In a statement issued to TV2 on Monday, the ATP has confirmed that they are investigating the incident under the official code of conduct (section 8.04).

“ATP is committed to ensuring an inclusive environment for all players, staff and fans, and there is absolutely no room for homophobic remarks in tennis,” a statement reads.
“According to section 8.04 N.2 of the Player Code of Conduct, ATP is in the process of investigating the comments of Holger Rune during a match on Saturday 5 June 2021 in ATP Challenger 80 in Biella.”

Reacting to the latest development, Aneke says she doesn’t believe any further action will be taken. Pointing that Rune had already spoken with the ATP and has previously never been in trouble.

“Holger has spoken to ATP during the tournament, and since Holger has not been registered for any offenses with ATP of any kind, I can not imagine that further action is taken in a case where Holger on two points shouts wrong words to himself. In addition to a warning that probably should have come during the match, ” she said.
“Holger has publicly apologized for his words both to TV2 and on his Instagram. We must remember that we are not talking about a player here with a history of either insults or other intimidating behaviour towards either opponents, referees, ball children etc.“

Christian Bigom is the chairman of Pan Idræt, a multi-sports club in Copenhagen which focuses on ‘inclusion of people with a special focus on sexual orientation and gender diversity.’ Speaking about Rune’s comments Bigom argues the focus shouldn’t be on the individual but why these phrases are being used in the first place.

“I think it’s fine that Holger Rune has said sorry. That is really good,” he said.
“I would rather ask a question about why it is these words that are used. To me, it testifies to a very negative language used in the world of sports. Not only in tennis, but certainly also in football.”

18-year-old Rune is currently ranked 291st in the world. He claimed the French Open boys’ title in 2019 and recently won his maiden Challenger title in Biella on Sunday.

“It would be totally normal and I think people would be accepting” – Taylor Fritz on a male player coming out of the closet

A few weeks back, French doubles tennis specialists Fabien Reboul and Maxence Broville, ranked No 53 and No 903 in the world doubles rankings respectively, lit up the Internet with photos of themselves kissing one another and also spoke about their love for one another.

While some voices on social media welcomed the first case of a male player coming out, neither player confirmed the news or whether it was anything more than an inside joke between the two. Tennis Majors understand they didn’t want to feed the story.

The issue of gay players on the ATP Tour has been a perplexing one for many. While several female tennis players have come out of the closet, there is no player in the ATP Top 100 in singles in recent years who has confirmed he is gay (the last one being American Brian Vahaly, who peaked at No 64 in singles in 2003 but came out only after he retired from the sport).

Such accomplishments indicate his exceptional skill and potential in the sport. It is essential to focus on Rune's athletic achievements rather than his personal life or rumors about his sexual orientation. Tennis fans and enthusiasts should appreciate his talent, determination, and hard work that have contributed to his success.

Fritz : “Maybe people just don’t want to be in the spotlight”

Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked American men’s singles player at No 9 in the world, is among those who is not able to figure out why a high-ranked male player has not come out of the closet. Fritz believes that he and his peers would be accepting of any player who is gay.

Taylor Fritz, ATP Finals 2022 (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

“I’m not sure if there are homosexual tennis players in the top 100. I don’t know. Maybe people think behind close doors we know or something. Statistically speaking, they should be. Statistically. But not that I know,” Fritz said in an interview to Clay Tennis.

“I think is odd, because I feel like a player would be accepted. Myself and my friends, other players on tour wouldn’t have any issues with it, it would be totally normal and I think people would be accepting. I couldn’t tell you why (no one has came out). Obviously anytime that would be a lot of big news and maybe people just don’t want to be in the spotlight, maybe they don’t want the distraction of getting all the attention and stuff like that.”

In conclusion, Holger Rune is an immensely talented tennis player who has achieved remarkable success at a young age. While there may be rumors about his sexual orientation, it is crucial to respect his privacy and support his athletic endeavors without letting personal matters overshadow his accomplishments in the sport..

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Holger Rune: Redefining Success as a Gay Professional Tennis Player