Casper Ruud Wants to Challenge Jannik Sinner in Skiing Competition After Losing Rome Final

And now Jannik Sinner has added another record to his already glorious career. The 24-year-old is now the youngest and the second man after Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters. Djokovic achieved the feat at the age of 31 after winning the 2018 Cincinnati Masters.

On Sunday (May 17), Sinner clinched a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud in the Italian Open final, becoming the first man to win the first five Masters 1000s of the season. He is also the first man to take home six consecutive Masters 1000s, having also won the 2025 Paris Masters.

Furthermore, he is the only player after the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal (2010), to win all the Masters 1000 titles on clay in the same year. So what is the secret to his moving so well while playing? Did skiing help him? Ruud doesn’t think so.

Ultimately, I don’t think that’s because he was skiing as a young kid. Obviously, it helps to have good balance. I also did skiing, but I don’t move as good as him. I don’t necessarily believe because he did skiing when he was young, that’s why he moves so well. I mean, look at [Carlos] Alcaraz, he didn’t ski, and he also moves pretty damn well. It maybe helps for your balance.

Casper Ruud said at the press conference

Sinner, also the first Italian man to win this title since Adriano Panatta in 1976, is now on a record-extending 34-match winning streak in Masters 1000s, and has already broken Djokovic’s record of 31 match wins.

I have the belief that doing a lot of things as a young kid is good, no matter what it is, whether it’s skiing, running, golf. Doing things that keep you active is great. Yeah, I mean, I have never seen Jannik ski other than videos. Would be fun to do a skiing competition one day.

Casper Ruud added

Sinner has now improved his head-to-head record over the Norwegian ace to a perfect 5-0. Ruud was chasing his second Masters 1000 title (won last year’s Madrid Open).

Jannik Sinner recalls playing at the Italian Open for the first time

Back in 2019, Jannik Sinner made his Masters 1000 Main draw debut at the Italian Open. He came from a set down to knock out Steve Johnson before losing in straight sets to Stefanos Tsitsipas. At the press conference after his latest win, Sinner recalled playing in his home tournament for the first time.

The first time I played here against Steve Johnson, I just didn’t want to embarrass myself. I thought it was almost impossible to win. I come from a very small town of 2,000 inhabitants where people ski. I would never have imagined being here, playing on the most beautiful courts in the world. I will always try to give 100%.

Sinner has become the seventh player to win at least 10 Masters 1000 titles, following Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras. He now sits at the top of the rankings table with 14,750 points, while second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz has 11,960 points.

Sinner will next be shifting his focus toward the French Open, which kicks off on May 24th. But first, he will be taking a much-needed break, as he has been playing non-stop tennis since the Indian Wells Masters.

Sinner will once again be chasing history. If he wins at Roland Garros, he will become the seventh man and the first after Alcaraz to complete the Career Grand Slam. Last year, Alcaraz upset him in five sets and defended his title, but the Spaniard won’t be chasing a three-peat this year because of a wrist injury.

Also read: Alexander Bublik Claims Failed Singles Players Compete in Doubles: “It’s Not Tennis”