Casper Ruud, Holger Rune channel inner Vikings for Nordic Battle exhibition series

Holger Rune and Casper Ruud put the “kings” in “Vikings” with a newly-dropped ad promoting their Nordic Battle exhibition series.

In a style reminiscent of the cinematic Six Kings Slam trailer, Rune and Ruud are portrayed as Viking warriors before the Dane and Norwegian face off in their respective home countries for a pair of off-season scrimmages. The series is set to begin November 30 at the Varner Arena in Asker and conclude in Copenhagen’s Royal Arena on December 3.

The Scandinavian duo have enjoyed a friendly rivalry of late but things began a bit spicier when they met in the quarterfinals of 2022 Roland Garros, both alleging interpersonal drama in the wake of Ruud’s four-set victory.

“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”, he told Norwegian daily VG at the time.

Things cooled off in time for their Roland Garros rematch the following year, and the two have built a more cordial relationship, Rune even teasing Ruud’s Denmark-adjacent Olympic outfit in Paris earlier this summer.

“Keep it up with the Scandinavian wins,’ applauded Rune, who was unable to make his own Olympic debut due to injury.

Click here for Varner Arena tickets, and here for Royal Arena tickets.