"Best if you don't answer that" - Casper Ruud comes to Holger Rune's rescue as he narrowly avoids reopening controversy over tax rate comments

Casper Ruud hopped to his fellow Scandinavian Holger Rune's rescue after the Dane was asked about the high tax rates of his country. Ruud was embroiled in a controversy recently after he expressed his views on the high tax rates in Norway.

Ruud and Rune are currently facing each other in a best-of-two exhibition series called the Nordic Battle. They kicked the event off on 30th November at the Varner Arena in Asker, Norway, where the Norwegian clinched a win in front of his home crowd. The second match will be played at the Royal Arena, Copenhagen.

During a press conference ahead of the second event, the Dane was asked about the high tax rates in his country before Casper Ruud came to his rescue.

"It's probably best if you don't answer that. I don't think you have to answer," the Norwegian said.

He then hilarious put his hand on his mouth teaching Rune how to respond to such a question:

"You just have to do it like this..."

Runne also quipped at the end of the press conference:

"I get some special questions. Thank you for a good press conference."

During an interview with Dagens Industri in early October, Casper Ruud said how he had thought about moving away from Norway due to the heavy tax rates. He also said:

"It clearly hurts to pay so much more in taxes. I think it is a completely wrong way to go on the part of the Norwegian government. They are shooting themselves in the foot and causing a lot of capital and people to flee the country."

"I’m coming to Copenhagen to claim the title of the Nordic Battle" - Casper Ruud issues friendly warning to Holger Rune

Casper Ruud and Holger Rune at the 2022 French Open - Source: Getty

Casper Ruud took to Instagram to thank his home crowd and Holger Rune for creating an amazing tennis atmosphere in Norway. He posted a couple of highlights from their round one match.

"Sharing the love for tennis on home soil was incredible! 🎾🇳🇴 Huge thanks to everyone who came out and to @holgerrune and his team for stepping up to the challenge—what a night!"

He also issued a friendly warning to his rival in another post, which was a photo of the two men sharing a handshake after their match.

"Now I’m coming to Copenhagen to claim the title of the Nordic Battle!🛡️🔥 Let’s do this!"

On the other hand, Holger Rune also thanked the Norwegian crowd for their support and expressed his excitement to play in front of his home crowd in round two of the Nordic Battle.

"Thank you Norway for a fantastic evening 🇳🇴🙌🏼 you were great company. Now I can’t wait to feel the Danish energy on Tuesday 🦾🇩🇰 it’s always very special for me to play for my Danish fans at home. I look very much forward to see you all and play some great tennis and to welcome @casperruud and his team in Denmark."

A promo had gone viral among tennis fans causing a mix of different emotions within them.