Veronika Kudermetova opens up about the moment a private, off-camera exchange turned into a public storm, revealing just how upset she felt when her Holger Rune texting story was aired without her consent.
What began as a casual, behind-the-scenes conversation before a podcast recording quickly escalated into one of the summer’s most talked-about tennis side stories, leaving the Russian player embarrassed and, by her own admission, deeply uncomfortable with how the situation unfolded.
Inside the Off-Camera Moment That Sparked the Holger Rune Texting Story
The episode traces back to July 2025, when Veronika Kudermetova appeared on a podcast hosted by her former doubles partner Elena Vesnina. During the taping, Kudermetova shared an anecdote involving Rune that quickly took on a life of its own.
In the clip, she described how Rune had recently messaged her, only for the exchange to end once she reminded him of their age difference and the fact that she is married. “Rune recently texted me. I told him, ‘Boy, I’m probably too old for you. If you looked at my Instagram, you’d see I have a husband.’ He replied, ‘Oh, sorry.’ After that, he stopped saying hi to me,” she said.
What may have sounded lighthearted to listeners soon became meme fuel across tennis social media, drawing widespread attention and putting Rune in an awkward spotlight.
Kudermetova later explained that the story was never meant for public consumption. In a recent interview with Russian outlet TI-Sport, she said the entire situation left her shaken. “Actually, I was really upset for a long time after that interview because it came out so ugly and wrong,” she said (translated from Russian).
She clarified that the exchange occurred while the cameras were still being set up and was intended to remain private. “It was just a personal conversation between Lena Vesnina and me while we were setting up the cameras before the interview, and I didn’t think it would be included in the final episode.”
Kudermetova emphasized that she had explicitly requested the segment to be removed. “So, the story about Rune was off-camera. I even asked them not to include that fragment. But the podcast ended up airing, and it was quite provocative.”
How Did Veronika Kudermetova React After the Private Conversation Went Public?
According to Kudermetova, there was no malice in it at all. “On the other hand, I knew I’d said nothing of the sort. Well, Rune texted me, and I replied that I had a husband. We both laughed, and that was it.”
What hurt most, she added, was how quickly it spiraled once it became public. “The problem was that it became public knowledge, all the media covered it, and it turned into an ugly situation.”
MORE: Holger Rune Hits Out at Fake News After Veronika Kudermetova Drops Public Hint About His Interest in Her
She admitted the fallout lingered, even affecting her interactions on tour. “Later, when I saw Rune at tournaments, I felt so ashamed in front of him. I wanted to go up to him and apologize.”
On the tennis front, Rune is currently sidelined while recovering from a serious Achilles injury suffered at the 2025 Stockholm Open in November. The 22-year-old was leading his semifinal against France’s Ugo Humbert 6–4, 2–2 when he landed awkwardly while chasing a forehand, collapsed in pain, and was forced to retire after hearing a concerning “pop.”
His mother, Aneke, later confirmed it was a complete Achilles rupture. Rune underwent surgery soon after, faces a three- to six-month recovery period, and has since begun his rehabilitation after initially recuperating in Denmark before returning to Monte Carlo.
