Holger Rune Eliminated by Nakashima at US Open

Holger Rune, the 15th seed at the US Open, suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of Brandon Nakashima, losing 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. Rune admitted to playing 'extremely bad tennis' and struggled with a knee issue that hampered his serve, resulting in a poor first serve percentage and multiple double faults. This defeat marks a continuation of Rune's troubling year, having not advanced past the first round in any Grand Slam and failing to secure a title since April 2023. His recent struggles have led to criticism of his coaching decisions and inconsistency in performance. Rune expressed his frustration on social media, emphasizing that he did not intend to offend Nakashima but acknowledged his shortcomings in the match. With concerns over his physical condition and lack of strategic direction, Rune's future in the sport remains uncertain.