Ruud-Rune feud : Scandinavian rivalry in deep freeze

The Scandinavian feud between French Open semi-finalist Casper Ruud and defeated Danish rival Holger Rune has turned into a he-said, he-said affair with both players eager to freeze the other out.   

The controversy began during Wednesday’s quarter-final win by Ruud, with beaten Dane Rune giving more of a half-hearted high five rather than the traditional handshake.

The 19-year-old tipped as a breakout player had indulged in a shouting match to his team in the player box and at one point appeared to tell his mother Aneke to leave the match – which she did.

Ruud, the eighth seed and four years older, told Rune to “grow up” in a post-match statement.

The Dane insisted instead that his Norwegian opponent screamed loudly in his face.

Both sets of player parents understandably backed up their own sons; Ruud’s father is former ATP player Christian Ruud, who cut the template for the few players from his country before his son began making a big impression on the Tour.

Afterwards, Rune, who had muttered and shouted throughout his loss, said Rudd was “so unsportsmanlike during the match and talked to me over and over again”.

“I didn’t want to give him a hug after the match. He got a high-five and then I just had to get away from him”, Rune told Copenhagen’s Ekstra Bladet.

“He just went straight up to me and shouted “YEEEESSSS” right up in my face.” 

Coach Christian Ruud called the Dane’s version a “pure lie.”

His son added to Oslo’s VG: “I don’t know Holger personally, but I have seen on TV that sometimes there can be a lot of drama. 

“He’s young and new, so that’s excusable, but when you’re on a big stage, it might be time to grow up a bit.”

Rune later made an apology of sorts on social media: In the quarter-final “I didn’t find my level and it’s frustrating. 

“Still, I should be able to find a way to win and this requires more emotional control. I am aware of this and will improve.”

Main photo:- Holger Rune grimaces during defeat to Casper Ruud – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd