Holger Rune Withdraws from Washington DC Open with Back Pain, Moutet Steps In
A lower back injury has forced world No. 9 Holger Rune to withdraw from the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington D.C., opening the door for Corentin Moutet to compete in the ATP 500 tournament.
The unexpected withdrawal of the Danish star, seeded third, throws the tournament draw into flux just as main-draw play is set to begin. Rune, currently holding a 22-14 record for the season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, was a highly anticipated competitor at the hard-court event.
Moutet Seizes Opportunity as Lucky Loser
Frenchman Corentin Moutet, initially a qualifying round participant, will now take Rune’s place in the main draw as a lucky loser. He is slated to face fellow countryman Alexandre Muller in the second round. This represents a significant opportunity for Moutet to make a mark on the ATP Tour.
Rune Shifts Focus to Toronto
Despite the setback, Rune’s season is far from over. The five-time ATP Tour champion is expected to compete next at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers in Toronto. Prior to this withdrawal, Rune dedicated three days to intensive training sessions with tennis legend Andre Agassi, a five-time champion at the Washington D.C. event.
“I’ve never met a guy who sees the game this way,” Rune reportedly said of his collaboration with Agassi, highlighting the value of the mentorship.
The injury comes at a crucial point in the season, but Rune will undoubtedly aim to leverage the insights gained from Agassi as he prepares for the challenges ahead in Toronto and beyond.
