Danish tennis star Holger Rune directed an expletive-laden outburst at his mother, Aneke Rune, and his support team during his quarter-final match at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The incident occurred amidst a frustrating defeat to qualifier Valentin Vacherot, where Rune was visibly struggling with both his game and physical condition. His mother reportedly left the arena during the third set.
Frustration Mounts During Upset Loss to Vacherot
The fiery exchange unfolded during Rune’s quarter-final clash against Monegasque qualifier Valentin Vacherot, ranked World No. 204. Rune initially took the first set convincingly, 6-2, but his performance deteriorated as the match progressed, leading to a stunning upset loss with Vacherot winning 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. The conditions in Shanghai were described as steaming, and Rune appeared to suffer from cramps, contributing to his increasing agitation.
As the third set reached a critical juncture at 3-3, with Rune finding himself 0-30 down and facing a potential break, his frustration boiled over. He engaged in a heated exchange with his box, which included his mother, Aneke, who previously served as his manager, and coach Stefano Panichi.
“F*** You Guys”: The On-Court Confrontation
Eyewitnesses and video footage captured Rune shouting in Danish at his mother when she attempted to calm him down. His tirade escalated as he turned to his entire box and yelled, “What can I do?” Following a time violation warning for delaying the game, Rune netted a backhand and then hurled insults, exclaiming, “F* you guys, f* you.”
The emotional intensity was palpable, with his mother, Aneke Rune, reportedly leaving the arena during the decisive third set. Rune’s physical struggles, including visible cramps, and his inability to maintain his rhythm seemed to fuel his emotional meltdown on court.
A Pattern of On-Court Volatility
This incident is not the first time Holger Rune’s “hot-headed” nature has been on public display. Earlier in the same Shanghai Masters tournament, during his match against Matteo Berrettini, Rune made a sarcastic gesture towards his mother. After receiving advice on court positioning that seemingly led to a lost point, Rune clapped back with a sarcastic thumbs-up, prompting a “cold stare” in return from his mother that caught commentators’ attention.
While the sarcastic thumbs-up during the Berrettini match was framed humorously by some, his latest outburst against Vacherot, particularly the expletives, marks a more severe display of frustration.
Vacherot’s Breakthrough and Aftermath
Despite Rune’s emotional turmoil, qualifier Valentin Vacherot delivered a composed and resilient performance. His victory over the World No. 11 marked a significant breakthrough, propelling him into the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 event, a remarkable achievement for a player ranked outside the top 100. Vacherot became the lowest-ranked player to reach the last-four of a Masters 1000 event since 1999.
As of now, there has been no official comment from Rune, his coach Panichi, or the ATP regarding the incident. It remains to be seen if the outburst will lead to any disciplinary action.
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