Former top-five player Holger Rune has become the latest big name tennis player to withdraw from Wimbledon, failing to recover in time after rupturing his Achilles last year. A quarter-finalist at Wimbledon in 2023, the Dane was hoping he might be ready to return at the All England Club.
But the 23-year-old said in a statement this week: “I am getting closer every day and feeling the progress is very satisfying. So spirit is high. See you soon.”
Rune became the 12th player to withdraw from Wimbledon, joining Carlos Alcaraz, Lorenzo Musetti, Valentin Vacherot, Tomas Machac, Sebastian Korda and Arthur Cazaux on the men’s side. For the women, Victoria Mboko, Hailey Baptiste, Varvara Gracheva, Sonay Kartal and Veronika Kudermetova have all withdrawn.
Victoria Mboko (L) and Holger Rune (R) are both out of Wimbledon. Image: Getty
Mboko hurt her knee at Queen’s last week, ruining her doubles team-up with the returning Serena Williams. Baptiste suffered a devastating injury at the French Open.
“Unfortunately, my fall caused an injury to the MCL on my left knee, which sadly means I will miss the remainder of the grass season,” the 19-year-old Mboko said. “This unfortunately means Wimbledon too, a tournament I had been so looking forward to playing this year.
“I am receiving the best medical care and my team and I are focused on a return to court as soon as possible. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent messages of support, I am so grateful to you all!”
Victoria Mboko injured her knee at Queen’s.
(Paul Harding via Getty Images)Carlos Alcaraz not ready for Wimbledon
On the men’s side, Alcaraz announced last month that he wouldn’t be ready for Wimbledon due to the wrist injury that kept him out of the French Open as well. Musetti, who made the Wimbledon semis in 2024, announced his withdrawal this week due to a quad issue.
“Unfortunately, as I have not yet been able to begin a full athletic training program, and after careful evaluation, we have come to the difficult conclusion that I will not be able to participate in Wimbledon this year,” Musetti said. “It is not an easy decision, but it is the right one. My priority is to return to the court at 100 per cent. Thank you for your continued support – see you soon.”
List of Wimbledon withdrawals:
Carlos Alcaraz – replaced by Jan Choinski
Holger Rune – replaced by Titouan Droguet
Lorenzo Musetti – replaced by Matteo Berrettini
Valentin Vacherot – replaced by Sho Shimabukuro
Tomas Machac – replaced by Jesper de Jong
Sebastian Korda – replaced by Alexandre Muller
Arthur Cazaux – replaced by Alex Molcan
Victoria Mboko – replaced by Darja Vidmanova
Hailey Baptiste – replaced by Hanne Vandewinkel
Varvara Gracheva – replaced Sinja Kraus
Sonay Kartal – replaced by Paula Badosa
Veronika Kudermetova – replaced by Francesca Jones