Holger Rune’s Achilles injury, sustained during the Stockholm Open, has sidelined him for up to a year and sparked concern over the physical toll of the ATP calendar. On the podcast Served with Andy Roddick, the former world No. 1 and co-host Jon Wertheim addressed the growing issue of player burnout. Rune’s injury was described as a direct consequence of an overloaded schedule, with Roddick noting the lack of recovery time for elite players.
Djokovic criticises tennis governance in Saudi Arabia
Novak Djokovic’s recent speech in Saudi Arabia was another focal point of the episode. The Serbian star spoke candidly about the need for stronger player representation and criticised the current structure of tennis governance. “There is a monopoly in tennis,” Djokovic said, referring to the dominance of existing institutions over scheduling and player rights. His remarks have added momentum to discussions about forming a more unified player union.
Masters 1000 format under scrutiny
Roddick and Wertheim also debated the length and intensity of Masters 1000 events. With matches often packed into tight schedules and mandatory participation rules in place, the format is increasingly viewed as unsustainable. “You can’t expect players to be at their peak every single week,” Roddick argued, pointing to the need for reform in how tournaments are structured and spaced throughout the season.
Calendar congestion and its consequences
The ATP and WTA calendars have come under fire for their density, with little room for rest or training blocks. The Served crew discussed how this affects not only physical health but also mental well-being and performance consistency. Rune’s injury was cited as a cautionary example of what happens when recovery is sacrificed for rankings and revenue.
Recent performances and the road to Turin
The episode also touched on recent results from top players. Elena Rybakina, Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Casper Ruud were all mentioned in the context of the Race to Turin. With the ATP Finals approaching, the pressure mounts for players to perform while managing fatigue and injuries. The panel praised Rybakina’s resilience and Medvedev’s tactical sharpness, while noting that Auger-Aliassime and Ruud have struggled to find consistency.
A call for structural change
The overarching theme of the episode was clear: professional tennis needs structural change. From Rune’s injury to Djokovic’s advocacy, the conversation underscored the urgency of rethinking how the sport is organised. As Roddick concluded, “If we want longevity and greatness, we have to stop grinding these players into the ground.”
Novak Djokovic in 2025
Currently the world no.5, Novak played his last match on the 11th of October when he lost to world no.39 Valentin Vacherot 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in Shanghai (draw).
This season Novak has achieved a composed 35-11 win-loss record. Djokovic conquered 1 title in Geneva. The Serbian was the runner-up in Miami.
He is also scheduled to play in Athens (Hellenic Championship) on the 2nd of November.
Holger Rune in 2025
Ranked world no.10, Rune played his last match on the 18th of October when he had to retire when playing against world no.24 Ugo Humbert in the semifinal and the scoreline was 4-6 2-2 .
During this season Holger has achieved a 36-22 match record. This year, Holger won 1 tournament in Barcelona. Rune got to the final in Indian Wells.
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) on the 27th of October.
Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune fought against each other 6 times. Their record is 4-2 for Djokovic.