Holger Rune rips into Stan Wawrinka in latest drama at Indian Wells
The feud between fan favorite Stan Wawrinka and Holger Rune has resurfaced after the three-time Grand Slam winner won a fiery duel in Indian Wells. Rune pushed the veteran to the max in a grudge match from last year, but the Swiss player was able to lift and advance after a 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 fight.
However, the tension of Wawrinka’s comments at the net when Rune won in Paris last year was dug up on the 19-year-old Dane tennis Prodigy called him out. Footage emerged last year echoing the Swiss champion’s warning about his behavior on the Tour.
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“My advice to you is that you stop acting like a baby on the court,” Wawrinka apparently said. Rune was clearly surprised at the time and never addressed the comments.
This was the first time the two had met since the chilly slugfest and Rune clearly hadn’t forgotten Wawrinka’s comments as he lost. After the couple shook hands in Indian Wells, Rune called out Wawrinka to reverse fate.
Wawrinka appeared to ask Rune, “Are you alright?” as the duo shook hands. However, Rune was not impressed and clearly harbored resentment over their last meeting.
“Don’t you have anything to say now?” said Rune on the web. Wawrinka shook hands with the chair umpire before replying, “What can I say?”
Rune quickly packed his bags and left the court. However, the commentator called out Rune for his words.
“Well, needlessly from Holger Rune at the net,” he said. The tennis world reacted quickly to the chilly exchange of blows, which provided a topic of conversation even before the match began.
Many claimed Rune needs to show Wawrinka more respect considering he’s a huge of the game and still on the ATP tour. Others felt Rune had every right to question Wawrinka considering the 38-year-old did the same to him after his defeat last year.
The Danish contestant has certainly ruffled some feathers during his short stint on the ATP Tour, but in their match last year, the teenager didn’t seem to exhibit any unusual behavior against Wawrinka. However, Rune has caused controversy in the past, which was included in a match at Roland Garros against Casper Ruud.
The Dane was sentenced for it hardly shake his opponent’s hand after the game and apparently yelled at his mother to get out of the stands during the game. Wawrinka will now play either Jannik Sinner or Adrian Mannarino in the next round.
Felix Auger and Aliassime police officers were attacked during a game in Indian Wells
Elsewhere in Indian Wells, Canadian player Felix Auger-Aliassime accidentally hit his chin with his racquet and required stitches in unusual scenes. Auger-Aliassime will look to go deep in the ATP 1000 event in warm conditions after beating Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-4.
The Canadian got off to a brilliant start in the first set and took a 2-0 lead. Disaster ensued, however, as the 22-year-old fended off a friendly fire and cut his chin as he returned Cerundolo’s serve.
Auger-Aliassime was bleeding from his chin and needed immediate help as he returned to the bench and required stitches. Despite the painful interruption, however, Auger-Aliassime stood his ground and held on to the first set.
The Canadian improved in the second and played more aggressive tennis. Despite not winning the match the first time around, the No. 8 converted his match points and was able to cement his place in the fourth round of the ATP 1000 event.
While many were impressed by the Canadian’s forefoot tennis, the bizarre sequence of stitches certainly caught the attention of many. Rafa Nadal hit his nose at the US Open last year – and needed a brief rest – but didn’t need stitches.
Tennis reporter Jose Morgado claimed he had never seen a player get stitches during a game. Others joked that they also found themselves in a similar spot to Auger-Aliassime after accidentally hitting themselves while playing tennis.
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