Holger Rune plays with a Wilson racket. In July 2026 he was presented as a Wilson ambassador at the launch of the brand’s new Defyer range, but the exact model has not been published. Before the switch he used the Babolat Pure Aero 98 for years. Here is what is known about Holger Rune’s racket, strings, clothing, shoes and sponsors – and what is only guesswork.
What racket does Holger Rune use in 2026?
On 9 July 2026 Wilson launched its new Defyer racket range, which the brand describes as engineered for maximum spin. In the official press release Holger Rune was named as one of the range’s ambassadors, with a quote from him, making the switch from Babolat to Wilson official. Forbes also covered the launch and named Rune among the tour players leading the new range.
The timing was unusual: the switch was announced in the middle of his rehab, three weeks after he had withdrawn from Wimbledon, and in August he also pulled out of the US Open. He presented his new racket months before he could use it in an official match.
Which Defyer model he uses has not been disclosed by Wilson or Rune. Professionals often use so-called pro stock frames customised for weight and balance, which do not always match retail models, so we will not name a specific model until it is confirmed. The Danish tabloid B.T. reported, via alt.dk (15 July 2026), that the Wilson deal runs for five years; its value is not confirmed. Because Rune was injured from October 2025 to September 2026, his Davis Cup comeback in Hillerød was his first competitive action after the switch.
Before Wilson: Babolat Pure Aero 98
For most of his career Rune was a Babolat player – first with the Pure Aero VS and later the Pure Aero 98. All five of his ATP titles, his No. 4 ranking and his three Grand Slam quarterfinals came in his Babolat years. The Babolat deal expired at the end of 2025, while he was still rehabbing from Achilles surgery, so he played no matches without a racket deal.
Strings, grip and weight: published vs unknown
Which strings and tension does Holger Rune use? For 2026 this has not been published. During his Babolat years, equipment sites reported Babolat RPM Blast in 1.30 mm, a polyester string popular with spin-heavy players, but that was never confirmed by Rune or Babolat, and whether he uses the same strings with Wilson is unknown. The same goes for grip size, weight and balance. That is not unusual: many professionals do not publish their exact set-up, and tension can vary from event to event depending on surface, balls and conditions.
| Item | Status | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| Racket brand | Published | Wilson, ambassador since July 2026 |
| Racket range | Published | Defyer (launched 9 July 2026) |
| Exact racket model | Not published | Not confirmed by Wilson or Rune |
| Strings | Not published | Babolat RPM Blast 1.30 was reported in the Babolat era; 2026 unknown |
| Tension | Not published | No reliable source |
| Grip size | Not published | No reliable source |
| Weight and balance | Not published | No reliable source |
| Clothing and shoes | Published | Nike |
| Watch | Published | Rolex |
Holger Rune sponsors: Nike, Rolex and Wilson
Clothing and shoes come from Nike. In August 2024 there were rumours that Rune and Nike would part ways, but he publicly denied them. Whether the deal was renewed for 2026 has not been reported – nor has any split. He is also part of the Rolex family of tennis ambassadors – Rolex is the title sponsor of the Rolex Paris Masters, which he won in 2022 and has entered again this year (as of 23 October 2026). According to the Danish site sportfokus.dk he has also had a deal with Danish supplement brand EACE, which has not been confirmed elsewhere. Together with Wilson, Nike and Rolex are the sponsors confirmed by the brands themselves or established media. Contract values are only media estimates, which we do not publish as fact. His official prize money is public: $15,768,390 in his career according to the ATP – see the Holger Rune prize money page.
Holger Rune’s hair and the cap
At the Chile Open in March 2021 he tied his long hair into small knots because hairdressers were closed during COVID, telling TV 2 the style would last as long as he kept winning. In October 2023 in Basel, his first event with Boris Becker as coach, he played without a cap; according to Wikipedia, Becker encouraged him to play without cap and jewellery. Rune told DR with a smile that giving your hair air is good if you want hair when you are 50. More short stories on the Holger Rune facts page, his coaches on the coach page and his life story in the biography.
Holger Rune racket: FAQ
What racket does Holger Rune use?
He plays Wilson. He was presented as an ambassador for Wilson’s Defyer range in July 2026, but the exact model has not been published.
What racket did Holger Rune use before Wilson?
Babolat – most recently the Pure Aero 98, earlier the Pure Aero VS. The Babolat deal expired at the end of 2025.
What strings does Holger Rune use?
Not published for 2026. In the Babolat era he was reported to use Babolat RPM Blast 1.30, but this was never confirmed.
Who sponsors Holger Rune?
Confirmed sponsors are Wilson (racket), Nike (clothing and shoes) and Rolex (watch). Contract values are not public.