OMOPHOBIA. Holger Rune investigated by the ATP after his remarks

Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune won his maiden Challenger in Biella last week. However, people will always remember that tournament for Rune having a rather harsh rant during the semifinal against Tomas Martin Etcheverry when he started to yell at his opponent with horrible homophobic remarks.

Rune said, “you are a pussy player’ and “you are playing like a faggot ass.” Then after winning a point, he shouted, “Allez, faggot”

Unfortunately, these are the sort of things that, even if they happened at the beginning of a player’s career, they are not forgotten as the years progress.

Rune’s defense

The Danish player apologized, and he also said that those remarks were directed at himself, not to his opponent (many disagree with that).

This was his statement:

“I’m young, and I need to learn. Not that that allows me to say crap like that. I was taught a lesson, and I think it’s fair that people criticize. I’m really sorry and hope people will accept my apology,” he said in a statement.

Rune later commented on social media that he is not against the LGBT community.

The investigation

The ATP confirms that formal investigation has been launched with the following statement

“ATP is committed to ensuring an inclusive environment for all players, staff and fans, and there is absolutely no room for homophobic remarks in tennis.

According to section 8.04 N.2 of the Player Code of Conduct, ATP is in the process of investigating the comments of Holger Rune during a match on Saturday 5 June 2021 in ATP Challenger 80 in Biella.”

Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune in 2021

Now ranked no.291 (career-high), Vitus Nodskov Rune played his last match on the 6^th of June when he overcame world no.237 Marco Trungelliti 6-3 5-7 7-6(5) in the final of the Biella 7 Challenger to win his 2^nd challenger.

At present, during this year Vitus Nodskov Rune has managed to achieve a 31-11 win-loss record. Holger clinched 2 titles in 2021 Bressuire and in the Biella 7 Challenger. The Dane was the runner-up in M15 Manacor, in M25 Villena and in the Oeiras 4 Challenger.