Casper Ruud wanted to help Holger Rune but he also created a very funny moment in the process after the Norwegian advised the Dane not to talk about taxes.
If you remember well, the three-time Grand Slam finalist criticized the Norwegian tax system in October and indicated he may as well list his residence to a location outside his home country. That statement got to some of the leading Norwegian politicians, who didn't appreciate very much his comments.
This week, Ruud is in Denmark for the second development of the Nordic Battle. And ahead of their Wednesday's match in Copenhagen, the two held a joint press conference. That's when one presumably Danish reporter wanted to know how the 21-year-old - who has Monte Carlo listed as his residence - felt about Denmark's tax system.
Before the world No. 13 could answer the question, the Norwegian interjected: "It's probably best if you don't answer that. I don't think you have to answer. You just have to do it like this... [showing zipping gesture on his mouth]."
That prompted laughs in the press room.
What exactly Ruud said about the taxes in Norway?
"I have to admit that I have also thought about moving. There are very drastic tax increases that have been introduced in recent years. It definitely 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," the former world No. 2 told Dagens Industri two months ago.
After these comments made the headlines in his home country, Per Martin Sandtroen - a member of the Norwegian Parliament - said his advice to Ruud was to "stay" in his country - which is "one of the world's most well-functioning societies."
Meanwhile, another parliament member Eigil Knutsen explained that in their system everyone "contributes according to our ability" and therefore it was a fair one.
Shortly after this, Ruud was asked about the star-studded Saudi exhibition and the money there but he didn't want to get into it too much because talking about politics in Norway got him in trouble.
