“It was definitely hot”: Holger Rune just faced off against Frances Tiafoe on a floating court in Mexico

What does Danish tennis superstar Holger Rune do on his off-days? Play tennis, of course. Earlier this week, just ahead of his first match at the Mexican Open tennis tournament in Acapulco, Rune faced off in a friendly match of mini tennis against USA’s Frances Tiafoe on a floating court in the middle of the Acapulco Bay. “That was an amazing experience – definitely one to remember,” says Rune. “It was cool to see a little bit more of Acapulco, even on the drive on the boat there.”

Though the resulting images were extraordinary, the conditions on the floating court didn’t necessarily lend themselves to a great match. “It was definitely hot and the court was moving so, many challenges,” says Rune. “I think we managed pretty well.” Still, he notes that of the four balls in play, three wound up in the water.

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For Rune, it was especially “cool” to share this cinematic moment with Tiafoe. “We trained together when I just got on the tour and he was very nice,” says Rune, who, at 21, is six years Tiafoe’s junior. “It’s always nice when you get on the tour and there are players that are friendly with you. When you’re new, you don’t know what to expect and some people are maybe a bit more rough with you because you’re the young guy, and he was always very nice, so that’s something you remember later on in your career.”

It’s not Rune’s first time at the Mexico Open, a tournament that he’s become fond of over the past couple of years. “We play at night – it’s a very special feeling,” he says. “The crowd gets into it in another way.” Plus, he notes, the tournament is “beautiful” and the hotel, which is located just by the water, is “amazing”.

Though he’s fully “locked in” about half an hour before he plays a tournament match, on the barge he was able to let loose and have a bit of fun. “I think I’m pretty good at putting competition in one way and putting a relaxed thing in another way – switching on and off,” he says. “It’s important as a tennis player to do that – we can’t be on 24-7. It’s too exhausting.”

While Rune and Tiafoe did “play some points” on the floating court, ultimately they didn’t keep score. “It was just for fun,” says Rune. However, the score was certainly kept at Rune’s first match of the Mexican Open. He won his first match against Roberto Carballes Baena.