Holger Rune blasts online haters in fiery post after Indian Wells 2023 loss to Stan Wawrinka, calls them "unintelligent" and "jealous"

Holger Rune was upset by three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the third round at Indian Wells 2023. The World No. 8 crashed out of the tournament after a three-set battle (6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5), despite saving a match point in the second set and forcing a decider.

This was Rune and Wawrinka’s second consecutive meeting at a Masters 1000 event. The two athletes had previously clashed in the opening round of the 2022 Paris Masters, where the Danish teenager, the eventual title winner, beat Wawrinka after saving three match points.

But during the handshake in Paris, Wawrinka made a scathing remark towards Rune.

"My advice to you is that you stop acting like a baby on court," the 37-year-old said to Rune at the net.

With the match concluding in favor of Wawrinka this time around in Indian Wells, Rune made a mention of the Swiss' behavior it at the net.

"You got nothing to say now?" Rune asked.

The teenager was allegedly subjected to harsh criticism in the aftermath of that exchange. Tennis fans and critics alike bashed Rune for his words towards Wawrinka at the net.

In response, Rune took to social media to call out the people making abusive remarks, labeling them “unintelligent” and “jealous."

“Before you write hate or shitty comments on my or any account, you should be aware of how the majority read your comment and see you as unintelligent…” Rune said.

He also suggested that the harsh comments were a result of people getting defensive in hopes of restoring their self-esteem.

“Harsh judgements are handed out so people feel better about themselves but everyone (if of average or above average intelligence) can see that they are hurting and have been brought down by something that has them feeling defensive (jealousy) – so they become critical of others hoping to restore their self esteem. Needless to say - with no luck,” Holger Rune remarked.

The 19-year-old on Instagram

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"I will strike back" – Holger Rune after Indian Wells 2023 loss to Stan Wawrinka

Holger Rune's 2022 purple patch included Paris Masters victory over defending champion Novak Djokovic

Holger Rune has had a meteoric rise on the ATP circuit over the last year and a half. The teenager lifted three titles in 2022, including his maiden Masters 1000 in Paris. He has, however, been unable to recreate that form so far in 2023.

Rune reflected on his mediocre run in recent months and stated that he felt at his “lowest” after his latest loss to Stan Wawrinka at Indian Wells.

“This year I did not reach my best level many times and today I think I reached my lowest. Still I was fighting with what I had, but it’s tough when you don’t feel your strokes ,your physical or your mental is working," Rune said.

But the 19-year-old is confident that he will eventually bounce back from the rough patch, like he always does.

“I know I will strike back. I always do #lovemyfamily,” he said.