Holger Rune’s Australian Open journey came to an abrupt halt in the round of 16, as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner staged a remarkable comeback following a contentious 11-minute medical timeout. The defending champion rallied to defeat Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, leaving the Danish star wondering if the lengthy break disrupted his momentum.
The turning point: Sinner’s timeout
Rune had seized control late in the second set and carried that momentum into the third, holding a 3-2 lead with break points looming. That’s when Sinner called for medical attention, citing physical struggles that had been apparent as early as the second set, with his hands visibly shaking and his movement impaired.
After being evaluated on the court, Sinner left for further treatment, which kept Rune waiting for over 11 minutes. When play resumed, Sinner returned rejuvenated, flipping the script and dominating the remainder of the match, winning nine of the next 12 games.
Rune: “It was brutal timing”
While Rune didn’t accuse Sinner of foul play, the Dane expressed frustration with the timing and duration of the break.
“It’s fair that he got checked,” Rune admitted. “But it took longer than I expected—around ten minutes, maybe even more. That was a bit brutal in the middle of the set. I just couldn’t move on. I had good momentum at that moment. It was not the worst timing from his side.”
When asked if he was given an explanation for the extended timeout, Rune replied:
“No, I didn’t get an explanation. They checked him on the court, and the umpire said he needed further checks. Then he came back firing, so I don’t know what they did.”
A growing rivalry
The loss marked Rune’s third consecutive defeat to Sinner, reversing the trend of their earlier meetings when the Dane won their first two clashes. With this victory, Sinner continues to cement his dominance over Rune, who would have reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal since Wimbledon 2023 had he emerged victorious.
A divisive moment in tennis
Sinner’s medical timeout has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding the timing and use of such breaks in professional tennis. While medical timeouts are essential for player safety, critics argue that they can inadvertently disrupt an opponent’s rhythm, especially when they occur at pivotal moments.
Rune’s comments reflect the delicate balance between sportsmanship and gamesmanship in these scenarios.
What’s next for Rune?
Despite the disappointment, Rune, ranked No. 13 in the world, remains a rising star in the ATP. With his fiery competitiveness and immense talent, the 21-year-old is expected to bounce back and continue his pursuit of Grand Slam success.
For now, the Dane will take the lessons from this match into his next encounters, particularly as his rivalry with Sinner intensifies on the global stage.