Holger Rune’s injury woes: ‘I’m too young to have these kinds of problems’

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Holger Rune crashes out of the US Open

Holger Rune has lifted the lid on the last few months of his season after making his ATP Tour return with a victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime at the China Open.

Rune also snapped a four-match losing streak in his Beijing debut.

Having been handed a tough draw to start, the Dane put in an accomplished display and suggested that his injury concerns are behind him.

“It felt good. I’ve had a tough period, both with my body and match circumstances, so I’m just happy to be back feeling good,” said Rune after the match.

“Feeling mentally well on and off the court. I’m just super happy with my level today.”

Rune came to Asia without a tour-level victory since Wimbledon and hasn’t been on the tour since the US Open in late August. He may have cursed his fate when drawn against World No 15 Auger-Aliassime in China, but the 20-year-old delivered a rock-solid performance to claim an 84-minute victory on the Diamond Court of the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Centre.

Rune improved to 2-1 in his  head-to-head record against Auger-Aliassime, who has had a mediocre year by his standards but showed hints of his best in helping Team World win the Laver Cup in Vancouver last weekend.

The Dane has been kept off tour, having been rendered unable to compete owing to a back problem, but he was pleased with how his body performed on Beijing’s hard courts.

“I was feeling very good. I didn’t feel anything in my body,” said Rune. “This is good. I don’t mind muscle soreness, but I’m too young to have these kinds of problems, so it’s good to feel good out there. I’m feeling healthy, taking care of my body and I’m super happy to play without pain and just enjoy myself.”

Rune had taken time away from the game for just a few weeks as he feels the strain of playing non-stop.

“I’ve been struggling with my back for a while now,” Rune said ahead of the first-round clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime in Beijing.

“Even playing tournaments while having pain. After my last Davis Cup match I told myself that I’m not going to come back to the tour until I am 100 percent – I am now.”

“I’ve managed to get rid of what I needed to get rid of and I’m back feeling closer to what I used to feel.”

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