Holger Rune’s girlfriend, Caroline Donzella, has been a prominent figure by his side during his debut campaign at the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. As Rune competes in one of the most significant tournaments of his young career, Donzella’s presence has not gone unnoticed, and she has been a source of support for the Danish tennis star during this high-stakes event.
On Tuesday, November 14, Rune faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in what was their second match of the tournament. Both players had suffered losses in their opening matches, with Rune falling to Novak Djokovic and Tsitsipas losing to Jannik Sinner. The clash between Rune and Tsitsipas was highly anticipated, as both players were determined to secure their first win of the tournament. However, the match ended in an unexpected and abrupt manner after just 17 minutes of play. Tsitsipas, who had been struggling with a persistent back injury throughout the tournament, retired early in the match, handing Rune his first-ever ATP Finals victory with the score at 2-1 (ret.).
Following the match, Rune’s girlfriend Caroline Donzella shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing her love and support for the Danish player. She posted an affectionate picture of the couple holding hands in the car on their way back from the tournament venue, captioning the image with, “Love you @holgerrune,” and adding a heart emoji. This public display of affection further solidified the bond between the two, who have been dating since mid-2023.
Caroline Donzella, who is an Italian-Dutch real estate agent based in Monaco, first appeared in the public eye as Rune’s girlfriend during the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. The couple made their relationship official a month later when Rune shared glimpses of their time spent together in Monaco. Since then, Donzella has been a regular presence at Rune’s matches, offering her unwavering support as he navigates the challenges of professional tennis. Her presence in Turin has been a testament to the couple’s close relationship, and she continues to cheer for him as he battles through one of the toughest tournaments of the year.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas’ mid-match retirement sparked controversy and backlash from fans and commentators. Many in the tennis world felt that Tsitsipas, who had been visibly struggling with his back injury throughout the week, should have withdrawn from the match before taking the court. Critics argued that this would have allowed Hubert Hurkacz, the tournament’s first alternate, to step in and compete, giving him a fair opportunity to showcase his skills at the prestigious ATP Finals.
Despite the criticism, Holger Rune was quick to come to Tsitsipas’ defense. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rune expressed empathy for his opponent, stating that it was unfair for fans to criticize Tsitsipas’ decision to retire mid-match. “We are not in Stefanos’ body. So we cannot comment on what he should have done,” Rune wrote. He emphasized that every player at the ATP Finals had rightfully earned their place in the tournament and was committed to fighting for success, regardless of any physical challenges they might face.
Rune further highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, noting that all eight players were prepared to give their best effort despite any setbacks. “We are here to fight and win. No one here in the top 8 is a quitter, and we will try to the end. If we only thought rationally, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he added, underscoring the determination and grit required to compete at the highest level of the sport.
Rune’s victory over Tsitsipas has kept him in contention for a spot in the knockout stages of the ATP Finals. As of now, none of the three remaining players from the Green Group—Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, or Holger Rune—have secured their place in the semifinals, making the final round-robin matches on Thursday, November 16, crucial. Rune will face the red-hot Jannik Sinner, while Djokovic takes on Hubert Hurkacz in a pivotal day of tennis that will determine who advances to the next stage of the tournament.
“What an exciting Thursday coming up. Everything can happen #NittoATPFinals,” Rune posted on social media, building anticipation for the upcoming matches. With the stakes higher than ever, Rune will need to bring his best performance to the court to keep his ATP Finals journey alive. His girlfriend Caroline Donzella will undoubtedly be by his side, cheering him on as he strives to reach new heights in his career.
Holger Rune’s rise in the tennis world has been meteoric, and with the support of his girlfriend and his team, the young Dane is determined to make his mark at the ATP Finals. As he continues to develop his game and build on his experiences, Rune’s future in the sport looks incredibly bright, with the potential for many more significant victories to come.