Back in June, Danish No. 1 Holger Rune turned heads by launching his official online store, offering everything from signed match-worn hats and shirts to full kits and even his Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquets. Some racquets that were smashed mid-match had a price tag of $7,066, while unbroken ones were priced at $5,888. It was a bold, collectible move that thrilled fans, but Rune’s story didn’t stop there. After a disappointing US Open run, the fiery Dane has confirmed he’s testing out a major shift, signaling that change is coming. And guess what? It’s the racquets again.

As the focus shifts to the Davis Cup, Rune has sparked intrigue by painting his racquet completely black, concealing its identity and hinting at a major change. When pressed about it ahead of Denmark’s crucial clash with Spain, the Danish No. 1 brushed it off with a grin. “It’s hard to put into words. The only thing I can say is no comments,” he laughed, keeping the intrigue alive.

Still, Rune couldn’t resist giving fans a little insight. The 22-year-old admitted he is indeed experimenting. “That much I can say. It’s not a secret, and now I’m trying to see how I feel at the Davis Cup and the Rod Laver Cup, and then we’ll have to see in the future.”

He went on to explain his timing, revealing that the process began immediately after his US Open exit. At the 2025 US Open, Stadium 17 witnessed a dramatic clash as No. 11 seed Holger Rune battled 35-year-old Jan-Lennard Struff in a grueling, back-and-forth five-set war. For 3 hours and 25 minutes, the momentum swung wildly before the towering 6-foot-4 German sealed the win with 28 aces, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

“I’ve been training with it right after the US Open, so I’ve got the rhythm in the racket, and for me it’s the perfect time to do it, because I’d rather not be standing later in the year and having to think about what I’m going to play with. It is now,” stated Rune.

He has been a Babolat player for most of his career, making this test all the more significant. Whether it leads to a permanent switch or a new manufacturer remains a secret, and the young star is in no rush to spill those details. Along similar lines, for the upcoming Davis Cup showdown, there’s one topic Holger Rune would rather keep under wraps: his mysterious blacked-out racquet.

Now, with the Rod Laver Cup looming on September 19, a battle between Team Europe and Team World, Rune’s experiment is center stage that might be the spark for his next breakthrough.

Holger Rune shared his action plan to overcome his weaknesses

Holger Rune has never had the smoothest of rides at Flushing Meadows. For years, the US Open seemed like difficult ground for the Danish star, a stage where first-round exits became an all-too-familiar heartbreak. Three opening-round defeats in four appearances painted a frustrating picture, including two consecutive early departures that left Rune searching for answers. But this year, for the first time since 2022, he left New York with a sense of optimism and purpose.

Still, the numbers tell a complex story. Rune’s 2025 campaign has been both promising and perplexing: a 28-16 win-loss record with only one title to show for his effort. The fire is there, the talent undeniable, but the results have not always mirrored the work.

In an exclusive sit-down with EssentiallySports before his first-round match, Rune opened up with striking honesty about where his focus lies. “Me and my team are working is very good, very intensely, very detailed, and on small things. So, you know, we’re trying to put Break by, break into each other, and trying to, you know, this is the most important tournament that’s left in this year. So, trying to give the last push and see if I can get it any.”

Pressed about which aspect of his game has demanded the most attention, Rune, who recently dismissed dating rumors after shocking allegations from a Russian WTA player, was refreshingly candid. “My footwork, actually, especially the last couple of weeks to be in a better position to get more quality and less mistake on the. Because that’s, you know, as I have an amazing foot rate, but sometimes I’m too lazy. So, you know, I need to step up my footwork.”

Now, with the Davis Cup looming, Rune knows the time for adjustments is now. The heartbreak of another Slam season lingers, but so does the hunger. The question is simple: will 2026 be the year Rune’s fire burns into something unstoppable?