Holger Rune is set to finally make his long-awaited return to professional tennis at the Davis Cup after nearly a year on the sidelines with an Achilles injury.
Rune ruptured his Achilles tendon at the Stockholm Open in 2025 during a semifinal match with Ugo Humbert.
The Dane underwent successful surgery and has spent the past 11 months recovering and working to get back on the court.
Rune had initially planned an ambitious return in May for the Hamburg Open, but ultimately decided to delay the comeback.
Now, however, he is about to be back in action in Denmark’s Davis Cup tie with Bulgaria.
Grigor Dimitrov speaks about Holger Rune’s return to tennis
Rune’s first match back is against Iliyan Radulov, and he will play former world number three Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday.
Ahead of their clash, Dimitrov, who has dealt with a number of injury setbacks himself, revealed the advice he gave to Rune.
As per SpilXperten, Dimitrov said: “We have called each other more than once during these 11 months; that’s for sure.
“We both live in Monaco, so I have been able to see his rehab very closely. His physio is my former physio, so of course we have been in touch. I have always tried to give him some words of encouragement every time we are together, and I always said to him that the most important thing is to be patient.
“I told him that once you are past the hardest moments, eventually the rest becomes easier. I have known him since he was 13 years old, and already back then I could see the potential he had and the way his game was developing.
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“He was a very strong kid back then, and he still is. He is in a good position to be preparing himself for success once he is back to 100%.
“I definitely understand the circumstances for Holger and what he has been through. I know how difficult it is. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be able to come back to the highest level. It is only a matter of time.
“He is young, and he has done all the right steps in the rehab. Eventually, it will all come down to match play and practice, but he has a very good team around him, and I have to say to you that you shouldn’t be worried about Holger.
“As long as he is healthy, he is going to be just fine. Good things are waiting for him just around the corner.”
Holger Rune’s head-to-head record with Grigor Dimitrov
Rune and Dimitrov have clashed four times on the ATP Tour before, with their first meeting played at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
That match was won by Rune in four sets, but Dimitrov earned his revenge on the hard courts of Beijing later that season.
Dimitrov then took a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head in 2024, beating Rune in the Brisbane International final.
Rune emerged victorious in their most recent bout at the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2024, which was a closely contested three-setter.
Their upcoming meeting at the Davis Cup will be their first on an indoor hard court.
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