Casper Ruud and Holger Rune have not always had a perfect relationship on the court, but the pair will play two exhibition matches during the off-season.
Ruud and Rune are the top-ranked Scandinavian tennis players on the ATP Tour. The geographical proximity between the Norwegian Ruud and Danish Ruud means matches between them might have attracted additional attention no matter what.
However, their 2022 French Open quarterfinal led to controversy and debate. Ruud entered the match after winning the first three matches of their rivalry, meaning the then 19-year-old Rune faced an uphill task.
The match was of high quality, and Ruud had to fight hard to prevail 6-1, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3. But the level of tennis is not what generated the most attention after the Norwegian sealed his victory.
Rune could not control his emotions during the match. He appeared to ask his mother to leave the stadium during angry rants at his team, although the Dane denied doing this afterward.
After furious exchanges with the umpire, Rune gave Ruud a cold handshake at the net. The three-time Grand Slam runner-up shook his head in disapproval at his fellow Scandinavian's actions.
Rune then claimed that Ruud celebrated wildly in his face in the locker room after the match. That sounds uncharacteristic for him, and the Norwegian denied that ever happened.
Over two years later, the pair seem to have a better relationship now. Rune is still in Saudi Arabia at the Six Kings Slam, while Ruud, who recently commented on issues of sportswashing, played at the Stockholm Open this week.
Both men will come together for two exhibition matches at the end of the season. The first is scheduled for 30 November in Asker, while the second is set for 3 December in Copenhagen.
In comments to SpilXperten, Ruud said the media focus on them during their matches led to them discussing and ultimately arranging two matches together that he expects to be enjoyable.
"It was something that came up after Holger and I both played at the UTS in Oslo in the beginning of the year. We played each other in a very different format of course, but a lot of fans turned up, also because Holger has become quite a big person in Norway because of our rivalry."
"The media writes a lot about us when we are playing each other, so it was a possibility to have two fun matches at the end of the year. How we did it was mostly about marketing, because everything on X was planned. It will be fun and I am really looking forward to welcoming him in Oslo for the match, and I am also looking forward to going to Copenhagen."
Ruud also weighed in on Rune's recent decision to begin working with Lars Christensen again. While acknowledging it is not really his business, he wished the 21-year-old well with the partnership.
"Those are his decisions and it is none of my business to mind honestly, but I am sure he is seeking something specific in his coaching team. Obviously, he and Lars Christensen have had great success in the past."
"I know Lars has been his coach from a young age, so I hope for Holger's sake that he finds someone he is really happy with, and let's see if it is Lars this time again around."
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