Exclusive interview with Rune: Recovery progressing well, looking forward to meeting Chinese fans in Shanghai

Last October, Danish star Rune experienced an unexpected rupture of his left Achilles tendon at the ATP Stockholm event. Following surgery, he started a rehabilitation process anticipated to take no less than six months. Almost three months after temporarily leaving the court, Rune is now dedicating himself to recovery training at his home in Copenhagen. During this unique rest period, he has gone through phased breakthroughs, progressing from immobility to gradually getting back on the tennis court. Recently, Rune gave an exclusive interview to the Quan Tennis APP, sharing in detail about his daily rehab routine, mental shifts, and hopes for the future.

Rune explained that his current daily routine is very clear and quite busy, all centered around rehabilitation. He ensures 9 to 10 hours of sleep each day to aid recovery, begins mornings with several hours of focused rehab training; after lunch, he spends 1 to 1.5 hours on tennis-specific practice, followed by full-body workouts targeting the upper body, core, and legs, occasionally including swimming to add variety. After training, recovery treatments such as massages and foot therapy are essential, with his day typically ending around 7 p.m.

Rune’s recovery is progressing smoothly. Regarding his training intensity, he follows a pattern of "three days high intensity + one day low intensity + two days high intensity + one day rest." This schedule balances effective training with proper relaxation. "Walking is now completely normal, and my foot’s range of motion is good. Currently, I’m focusing on strengthening exercises, like heel raises and tiptoe walking, along with specialized training to activate foot muscles, stimulate the nervous system, and promote scar tissue healing."

From initially using crutches and plaster casts, then protective boots, to now walking without any aids, Rune’s rehabilitation has been steady and progressive. He understands that Achilles tendon recovery cannot be rushed: "So far, the results are very good. Ankle dorsiflexion flexibility needs to improve gradually day by day, and the key is to avoid overstretching the tendon. We have strictly adhered to this principle throughout."

Since fully competing on the ATP Tour in 2022, Rune has achieved remarkable results in nearly three years, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in 2023. For a professional player accustomed to competing regularly, a long absence from the tour is undoubtedly challenging. Yet Rune has maintained a positive and determined mindset. "The day after my injury, I told myself not to complain and clearly understood what I needed to do. I stayed motivated and focused," he recalled. From finding the top surgeons for his operation to crafting a detailed rehab plan, every step was taken with confidence and calmness.

For Rune, setting incremental goals is the key to keeping motivated. "I set small targets every week or every ten days, like completing 10 standard heel raises this week or achieving slight lateral movements within ten days... When these goals are met one by one, returning to the court feels like I can do more each time. This progress keeps me very motivated." He admitted that early in rehab, facing the huge gap in circumstances was confusing, but as training advanced, a deep sense of achievement reignited his passion for competition.

This forced pause in his career gave Rune more time for reflection, and his words now carry a bit more maturity than before. "At the moment of injury, I realized I had to cherish every day because you never know what tomorrow will bring. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true," he said thoughtfully. This accident made him aware of how sudden and harsh life changes can be, emphasizing the importance of listening to one’s body. "Fortunately, this injury is recoverable. Although there are always many goals to pursue, sometimes you have to learn to let go and focus on what truly matters."

Regarding the exact timing of his return to competition, Rune said he will follow scientific principles and his own condition to decide: "I’m still young, and my recovery is going well. I have a rough plan but won’t set a fixed comeback date. I just want to complete each rehab step properly and return to the court in the best possible shape when my body is fully ready."

Although he hasn’t watched a full match during recovery, Rune keeps a close eye on his peers’ performances. When asked who he favors to win this year’s Australian Open, he shared his thoughts: "On the men’s side, I really hope Djokovic can claim his 25th Grand Slam title. He’s a legend in tennis, with top-level skills and admirable character, always a role model for me. But Alcaraz and Sinner are also in great form and definitely the biggest contenders. Their match will be thrilling."

"On the women’s side, Sabalenka is very competitive and the top favorite; Swiatek has been consistent and might surprise us this year; Gauff has shown remarkable progress and excellent form. These three players all have a strong chance to lift the trophy."

Speaking of fellow "00s generation" male tennis stars Alcaraz and Sinner, Rune noted they are always striving for improvement. "They keep trying to make changes and improve by 1% or 2% because at this level, matches are decided by tiny margins. Their training is very meticulous, and their persistent pursuit of progress and maintaining steady training is truly admirable and inspiring. But I know I can beat them—I have done it before and will do it again."

Rune has many loyal fans in China. Addressing their concern, he expressed his gratitude through the interview: "I really look forward to seeing everyone again! It’s been a while since we last met. The memories from Shanghai last year were wonderful. I will definitely come back this year and am eager to meet all the fans again, hoping to be in better and healthier condition when we reunite."

Every cloud has a silver lining. Although this unexpected injury forced Rune to pause his journey, it also opened a period of reflection, growth, and self-improvement through rehabilitation. After this refining process, the gifted Danish player will return to the court with a more mature mindset and stronger abilities. Let us wait patiently and witness his full-strength comeback.

(Interview by Wang Fei, text and editing by Dato, photos by Li Jianyi)