British number one Jack Draper says the tennis calendar must be adapted after Holger Rune became the latest high-profile player to have his season ended prematurely.
Danish 22-year-old Rune, set to return to the world’s top 10 after reaching the semi-finals at the Nordic Open in Stockholm, was forced to retire with injury when leading Frenchman Ugo Humbert by a set.
Rune’s mother, Aneke, later told Danish newspaper BT that she had been informed by medical staff that her son’s injury was “very bad”.
She said: “They are completely sure that it is a torn Achilles tendon, so it’s of course very bad. Holger is completely devastated. They say they can see it with the naked eye.”
Draper wrote on X: “Injuries are going to happen… we are pushing our bodies to do things they aren’t supposed to in elite sport.
“We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now and I’m proud to be a part of that.
“However, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity.”