BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, October 19, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Holger Rune of Denmark, who just a week ago received the last wild card entry into the main draw of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open in Brussels, informed tournament organizers – and his fans via social media – that he would not be able to play in the upcoming ATP 250 indoor hard-court tournament as planned.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play in Brussels as planned,” the former World No. 4 wrote on social media Sunday afternoon. “My back has seized up, but fortunately, scans have confirmed that it’s nothing serious. So, 2-3 days rest. Just really annoying and unfortunate timing.”
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play in Brussels as planned. My back has seized up, but fortunately, scans have confirmed that it’s nothing serious. So 2-3 days rest . Just really annoying and unfortunate timing
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) October 18, 2026
Rune, who recently returned to the ATP Tour after nearly a year away after rupturing his Achilles tendon during a match last October at Stockholm, had been given a wild card into the 28-player main draw by tournament organizers last week. On Friday, the 195th-ranked Rune was drawn to face Belgian No. 3 Raphael Collignon, ranked No. 50.
Instead, a qualifier/lucky loser will face Collignon in the first round.
Since returning to the ATP Tour, Rune is 0-2. He lost a first-round match to Kyrian Jacquet of France, 6-3, 6-1, in the opening round of the ATP 500 Japan Open in Tokyo. Then, he was defeated by Daniel Altmaier of Germany, 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, in the opening round of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai, China.
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Main draw play begins Monday at noon inside Brussels Expo in the Belgian capital city as Italian qualifier Federico Cina will face 49th-ranked Jaume Munar of Spain in a first-round match on Centre Court. Yannick Hanfmann of Germany and No. 5 seed Alex Michelsen of the United States are also featured on Monday’s order of play on Centre Court. A total of five doubles matches spread across Centre Court and Court 1 are also on Monday’s schedule.
In a matter of days, BNP Paribas Fortis European Open tournament director Dick Norman has been challenged by a series late withdrawals. First, defending champion and World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada pulled out of Brussels after suffering a left knee injury during his fourth-round match against Casper Ruud of Norway at the Rolex Shanghai Masters last Thursday. Then the 24th-ranked Rudd withdrew from Brussels to rest and recover after he was eliminated in a tough, three-set quarterfinal round match by Rafael Jodar at Shanghai on Friday.
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As a result, World No. 11 Arthur Fils of France has been elevated into the top seed position. World No. 16 Jiri Lehecka is the No. 2 seed.
Rune was also scheduled to play doubles teamed with Zizou Bergs of Belgium. Now, with Rune no longer available, the 39th-ranked Bergs has pulled out of the 16-team doubles draw and will focus on playing singles only in Brussels.
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Belgians to be spotlighted throughout the week
As the main draw gets underway Monday, Belgium’s Raphael Collignon and David Goffin – two generations of Belgian players are teaming – and will be featured in doubles match on Centre Court against No. 3 seeds Marc Polmans of Australia and Jan Zielinski of Poland. It’s part of Goffin’s farewell week as he makes his final appearance at the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open.
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Then, Tuesday on Belgian Day, Zizou Bergs will be featured on Centre Court in an evening match against Great Britain’s 100th-ranked Toby Samuel (not before 6 p.m.).
Finally, on Wednesday, Goffin will play his first match in the singles draw (not before 4 p.m.) against lucky loser Remy Bertola of Switzerland. The former World No. 7 Goffin is retiring from pro tennis this year following the tournament.
A total of four Belgians are part of the 28-player singles main draw: No. 4 seed Alexander Blockx, ranked 28th; No. 6 seed Bergs, ranked 39th; the 50th-ranked Collignon, and No. 467 Goffin. In doubles, there are two Belgian teams among 16: Goffin and Collignon received a wild card entry as did Michael Geerts and Joran Vliegen, who will face No. 1 seeds Guido Andreozzi of Argentina and Manuel Guinard of France in their opening-round match.
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Around the Brussels Expo
• In qualifying draw play Sunday afternoon, No. 1 seed Martin Damm of the United States was upset by No. 7 seed Andrea Guerrieri of Italy, 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-3, in two hours and 30 minutes on Centre Court. However, Damm was elevated to the main draw as a lucky loser and will face No. 57 Yannick Hanfmann of Germany in a first-round match Monday afternoon.
The 165th-ranked Guerrieri hit 43 winners – including 13 aces – and withstood 14 aces and 46 winners from the American lefty, ranked No. 104. Guerrieri, who outpointed Damm, 113-105, will No. 5 seed Alex Michelsen of the United States, ranked No. 35, Monday afternoon in a first-round match on Centre Court.
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• Also advancing to the main draw from qualifying were: No. 3 seed Nishesh Basavareddy of the United States, No. 4 seed Clement Chidekh of France and No. 5 seed Federico Cina of Italy.
The 139th-ranked Basavareddy defeated No. 430 Aziz Dougaz of Tunisia, 6-4, 7-5; 146th-ranked Chidekh eased past No. 8 seed Gauthier Onclin of Belgium, ranked No. 168, 6-2, 7-6 (3); and Cina went the distance and rallied to beat No. 227 Remy Bertola of Switzerland, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) in the longest match of the day (2:32).
• Bertola was added as a lucky loser after No. 70 Kamil Majchrzak of Poland withdrew from the main draw with a knee injury.
Sunday’s European Open results
🎾 Results | Sunday, October 18
#BNPPFEuropeanOpen https://t.co/SfX039CC2U
— BNP Paribas Fortis European Open (@BNPPFEUOpen) October 18, 2026
Monday’s European Open order of play
🎾 Order of Play | Monday, October 19
#BNPPFEuropeanOpen https://t.co/Y2AiQC5ndI
— BNP Paribas Fortis European Open (@BNPPFEUOpen) October 18, 2026
By the numbers
Among the 28 players comprising the main draw in singles, a total of 13 countries are represented, including: Belgium (4), United States (4), Argentina (3), France (3) and Germany (3).
