Holger Rune, ATP world No. 8, launched his official merchandise store, “Shop Holger Rune,” in collaboration with his sister Alma, featuring signed, match-used smashed racquets priced at €6,000 (over $7,000), per Tennis.com. The store, announced via X, offers five Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquets—two heavily damaged at €6,000 and three at €5,000—described as “ultra-rare collector’s items” that capture the “intensity” of Rune’s rare on-court outbursts, per Shop Holger Rune. Rune wrote, “This shop is my way of sharing my journey with you,” noting that part of the profits supports charities like Børns Vilkår, per Sportskeeda.
The high prices triggered backlash from fans, with X posts like @showfortennis questioning, “Why is Holger Rune charging $7,000+ for his broken racquets?” and @borrowedlove91 calling it “crazy behavior,” per. Critics on Reddit argued the cost was unjustified for a player with five ATP titles, including the 2025 Barcelona Open win over Carlos Alcaraz (7-6(6), 6-2), compared to Alcaraz’s $15,000 smashed racquet or Rafael Nadal’s $157,000 French Open racquet, per Reddit. Supporters, however, praised Rune’s entrepreneurial spirit, with the store nearly selling out, per Tennis.com. Rune’s 2025 season, with a 22-13 record and early exits at Madrid and the French Open, has fueled debate about his focus as he prepares for Wimbledon, starting June 30, per Footboom1.
