"Reaches Out... Then Reconsiders": Holger Rune's New Controversial Gesture After Davis Cup Defeat

© AFP

Arthur Millot

le 15/09/2025 à 07h43

2 min to read

Martinez Rune

It was a rare, unsettling scene that left a mark well beyond the court. During the Davis Cup, in a decisive match between Denmark and Spain, Holger Rune, the world's 11th-ranked player, let his frustration explode in the worst possible way. Defeated by Pedro Martinez, the Dane refused to shake the chair umpire's hand at the end of the match... A strong gesture, indicative of a deeper issue.

A match with twists... and a brutal fall

On paper, the duel between Holger Rune and Pedro Martinez should have favored the Dane. Carried by a roller-coaster season marked by flashes of brilliance, Rune had the chance to put his country in the history books.

But quickly, the dream turned into a nightmare. Completely overwhelmed in the first set, Rune secured only one game. In the second, he regained his warrior instinct, raised his level, and put Martinez under pressure. He even managed to create a match point in the final set before his opponent Martinez ultimately emerged victorious (6-1, 4-6, 7-6).

The turning point: an umpiring decision and a significant gesture

Tension reached its peak at the very end of the match. A controversial umpire decision went against Rune, with every point vital. The Dane, already on the brink, mentally collapsed.

Then came the shocking scene: as he approached to shake the chair umpire's hand, Rune extended his arm... then abruptly withdrew it. A public disapproval that instantly spread across social media.

Just a gesture? No. A silent but powerful declaration. A way to express what words can't convey, or what Rune, in the emotional turmoil, couldn't verbally articulate.

The crowd had no impact on my tennis... Really?

In a press conference, Rune tried to defuse the situation. In a calm, almost detached tone, he claimed: "The crowd had no impact on my tennis."

A statement seemingly at odds with his on-court behavior. Visibly irritated by the atmosphere, by his opponent's late choice (Pedro Martinez was played instead of Jaume Munar), and by the officiating, Rune seemed mostly overwhelmed by his own emotions.

He added: "Pedro defended very well and played better than me in the last part of the match."

A form of lucidity, certainly. But the damage was done. His refusal to greet the umpire, in such an exposed context, spread around the world.

A still fragile mentality despite the talent

This is not the first time Holger Rune has been overcome by his nerves. At only 22, the Dane carries a reputation as a player as talented as he is unstable. We recall his verbal altercations with opponents, his tensions with his camp, and sometimes immature behavior on the court. This time, the stakes were high. And Rune couldn't hold up.

Serving for the match. Having a match point. Losing. And refusing the handshake. A dramatic sequence, almost Shakespearean, which raises an essential question: Is Rune mentally ready to become a true leader of world tennis?