Holger Rune has hit out at tennis’ moneymakers, calling for “schedule adjustments” and branding the expanded Masters 1000 tournaments unnecessarily demanding.
Former world No. 4 Run has been sidelined since October when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon at the Stockholm Open.
His worst fears were realized when it was confirmed that he would need surgery. But Rune has since shared a positive update showing signs of recovery, including hitting the tennis court without a protective boot on Christmas Day in Denmark.
Rune’s injury prompted British No.1 Jack Draper, whose 2025 season ended prematurely with a left arm injury, to post on social media asking for a trade in exchange for longevity, with Taylor Fritz responding: “Facts, they’re also seeing more injuries and burnout now than ever before because the balls, the pitches, the conditions they create have slowed down the physical week a lot more, even if they’ve slowed down the physical game.
There are mandatory requirements for both tours. As it stands, there are 19 events that count towards the ATP rankings each year (the Nitto ATP Finals counts as an additional event), although it is only mandatory for those players who qualify for them to participate in the eight Masters 1000 events – Monte Carlo being a popular but not mandatory event.
Along with the four Grand Slams, players in the top 30 must also play at least four ATP 500 events.
The main topic of conversation has been the extension of most ATP Masters 1000 events, six of which are combined with WTAs to 12 days and 96-player draws (ATP Monte Carlo and Paris remain as 56-player draws), with many unhappy with the increased duration – including Rune – who feels that everything changed when the calendar was extended to 00.
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Watch the highlights of the Barcelona Open final between Rune and Carlos Alcaraz
The 22-year-old said Ski Sports: “Physically it’s more demanding, but also mentally – it’s hard! You’re at the tournament for up to 20 days and you feel almost a whole month.
“You’re in a tournament before you go to the next one. I personally liked a one-week Masters event, like Monaco or Paris. You get there, you play Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the next one. If you wanted to skip one week and rest, you could go home and be ready for the next.”
“Or if you feel you played poorly and want more matches, you could play 250 the week after and adjust what didn’t work the week before.”
“I understand why it’s two weeks now, and I see the financial benefit for everyone and the benefits for the lower-ranked players. We just forget about the 32-48 players at the top of the rankings. It’s not optimal for us, but I’m sure the ATP will adjust it because they also have an interest in keeping the top players fresh.
“Two weeks are great in Grand Slams because the matches are more demanding, best in five sets, and we start the matches on Monday or Tuesday in the first week. And so, we need a day off. But that’s unnecessary for the Masters!”
A calendar driven by money?
Dane believes ATP must try to make ‘small adjustments’
Rune claims that the tennis calendar drives money. “That’s a fact,” he said. “But also, we don’t want to come and see tired players or injuries happening in games because of fatigue. So it’s a balance. I think there has to be some acceptance of players needing rest.”
The Dane, who shot to fame as a teenager by upsetting Novak Djokovic to win his first Paris Masters title in 2022, also hit out at the lack of quality facilities, hours of training between matches at the combined Masters and insufficient financial help for injured players.
“We really want to show our best tennis to the fans, and I think we can do that with a little adjustment in the planning of the Masters 1000 seeding schedule for the second week,” Rune explained. “This way I don’t think we will hear players talking about too many mandatory tournaments.”
“It’s not like football or basketball where you get a yearly salary no matter what. We only make money when we play. That’s why I think both the ATP and the players have an interest in making small adjustments, so we keep as many players fresh and healthy as possible.”
Setting new standards
Rune is being helped off the court after suffering a horrific injury against Hugo Humbert at the Stockholm Open
Rune, who has reached three Masters 1000 finals in his career, has not set a timetable for his return, but the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist says his range and mobility are improving every day.
“Honestly, it’s a really good feeling. It’s really first of all, the most important thing is when is my Achilles ready? And secondly, when am I ready as a tennis player? That’s why I’m not going to set a date when I’ll come back,” said the current 16th tennis player in the world.
“We are in the third stage, which is walking with normal shoes. And the next step would be to learn to jump on the foot again and then run.”
“My surgeon said it’s going really, really well. I’m kind of setting a new standard for Achilles rupture recovery. It’s not that I’m rushing anything. I’m just doing what the specialists tell me and then putting a big, big effort into it, which helps a lot.”
Rune’s 2025 season finished 36-22, with his best result coming in Barcelona, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
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Rune pulled out of the Shanghai Masters after suffering severe muscle cramps in his clash with eventual champion Valentino Vacherot…
The ATP defends the extended format
ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi defended the expanded Masters format this summer
The ATP was unwilling to respond to Sky Sports on the record for Rune’s specific comments, but outlined changes implemented this year to support player welfare and pointed to a new financial security program for players that provides financial support in the event of injury or underperformance.
ATP president Andrea Gaudenzi spoke about the expanded Masters 1000 events over the summer, explaining: “These are not just cosmetic upgrades. The revenue generated by these improvements goes directly back to the players through our profit-sharing model. This is exactly the kind of long-term, structural investment the sport needs – and it’s the only expanded format.”
“The expanded format really increases on-site time, and that’s a real consideration. But it also unlocks the revenue potential needed to raise the entire tour.”
He added: “Our aim at the ATP is to extend the off-season. Proper rest benefits everyone – the players, the fans and the quality of the competition.”
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