Tennis

Holger Rune and Casper Ruud: The Viking Warriors of TennisIn a captivating promotional ad that evokes the grandeur of Viking lore, Holger Rune and Casper Ruud have announced their upcoming Nordic Battle exhibition series. The two Scandinavian tennis stars will engage in a pair of off-season scrimmages, embodying the spirit of their ancestral warriors.The series kicks off on November 30 at the Varner Arena in Asker, Norway, and culminates in Copenhagen's Royal Arena on December 3. Rune and Ruud, both hailing from Nordic nations, have forged a friendly rivalry that has occasionally sparked controversy.Their rivalry reached a boiling point during their 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinal encounter, where Ruud emerged victorious in four sets. In the aftermath, Ruud expressed concerns about Rune's on-court demeanor, suggesting that the young Dane needed to mature.However, time has healed the wounds, and the pair have since developed a more cordial relationship. Rune even playfully teased Ruud's Olympic outfit, which featured a nod to Denmark, during the Paris Games earlier this year."Keep it up with the Scandinavian wins," Rune remarked, despite his own absence from the Olympics due to injury.The Nordic Battle exhibition series promises to showcase the exceptional skills and competitive spirit of Rune and Ruud. As they don the mantle of Viking warriors, they will undoubtedly captivate tennis enthusiasts with their thrilling duels.