Fighting talk: Casper Ruud challenges Holger Rune to Scandinavian showdown in both Norway and Denmark

Playing back home in the intervening weeks before Wimbledon, Holger Rune had a Scandinavian homecoming returning home to Denmark. But it seems he already has his next exhibition match mapped out with Casper Ruud in particular wanting to take him on.

Rune issued an open challenge after the exhibition. He played at Champions Battle where he teamed up with Caroline Wozniacki to take on tennis power couple, Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils. Held at Jiske Bank Boxen in Henrig in Denmark. It saw Rune defeat Monfils 7-6, 6-3. Wozniacki defeated Svitolina 6-4, 4-6, 10-4. However, the power couple got their own back of sorts in the mixed doubles. They sealed a 6-4 win in the one set battle.

Thanking the Danish crowd and assuring them, it wasn't his final stand he issued the challenge which Ruud gratefully accepted so we will get a Scandinavian showdown of sorts.

"Thank you Denmark for an incredible night here in boxen. The Danish support is fantastic 🙌🏽 this will for sure not be the last time I play at home 🇩🇰 So anyone up for a challenge to play against me later this year in Copenhagen ? let me know 😄 #championsbattle2024 #jyskebankboxen," wrote Rune on Instagram.

"I’ll take you on in Denmark if you come to Oslo first," replied Ruud. "@casperruud deal. challenge accepted," Rune responded.

He also responded on X/Twitter saying: "I accept the challenge, see you in Oslo first and then Copenhagen." To which Ruud simply said: "Let's go."

It is a match that no doubt Ruud will want. They have faced off seven times in their career. The Norwegian has a 6-1 lead. Six of these meetings have come on clay and one on hard. Rune finally got a win in Rome last year, but Ruud got the score back firmly in his favour in Acapulco. So will it be 8-1 or will it be 6-3 by the time they face off in exhibition action.