“The life of tennis is not easy,” Casper Ruud opens up about facing some mental health issues this year

Casper Ruud is into his first Madrid Open final after beating Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets.

“The life of tennis is not easy,” Casper Ruud opens up about facing some mental health issues this year

Casper Ruud (Image via X/Jose Morgado)

Casper Ruud extended his perfect performance at the Madrid Open by reaching the final without dropping a set. He has been playing his best tennis, something he has often done every season on clay. But he didn’t start the clay swing well and wasn’t at his best in the beginning of the season. Ruud recently opened up about how he faces mental health issues.

Ruud began the season exiting the Australian Open second round but did bounce back to reach his first ATP final of the year at the Dallas Open, where he eventually lost to Denis Shapovalov. He then won only three matches in three tournaments, a poor form that saw him enter into the clay season, low on confidence.

At the Monte Carlo, he failed to defend his last year’s runners-up finish by losing to Alexei Popyrin in the round of 16. He was also unable to defend the Barcelona Open title after losing to eventual champion Holger Rune in the quarter-finals. Although he has bounced back in Madrid, the 26-year-old hasn’t forgotten how the loss affected his mental health.

During his press conference in Madrid, Ruud revealed that he was overwhelmed and stressed by his poor performance earlier in the season. He added that he’s now feeling good about his tennis and he’s fortunate for it.

I don’t want to delve too much into the issue, but the truth is that I’ve faced some mental health issues this year, so I sought professional help, and it has helped me a lot. Soon, I noticed a great improvement; I feel it’s very beneficial to have someone to talk to about my feelings. The life of tennis is not easy, and there came a point where I was overwhelmed. Fortunately, I’m starting to feel good about myself again, waking up with excitement and a smile, and especially, I am grateful for being honest with myself, realizing that I needed help.

Casper Ruud said via Madrid Open Press

Ruud continued his unbeaten streak in the ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals on clay. He extended his run to 7-0 after beating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, before beating Francisco Cerundolo to reach the final.

Casper Ruud is into his first Madrid Open final after beating Francisco Cerundolo

Casper Ruud ended Francisco Cerundolo’s hopes of reaching his second ATP final of the season after beating the Argentine in straight sets. The Norwegian arrived at the tournament with a poor run on clay but ultimately turned things around in Madrid. He defeated the 26-year-old 6-4, 7-5 to reach the Madrid Open final.

Casper Ruud 2
Casper Ruud (via X/The Tennis Letter)

The former French Open finalist has also certainly made sure he will enter into the Top 10 of the ATP rankings after dropping from the elite group after the Barcelona Open. He will now leapfrog Daniil Medvedev, who currently holds the No.10 position to become the new World No.10 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

This is Ruud’s 25th final of his career and second of the season. Also, the Madrid final is the first of his career. He will now await the winner between Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti in the Madrid Open final.

Casper Ruud says the ATP schedule needs to become shorter

The major discussion in the ATP and WTA has been the length of the 1000-level tournaments on tour. Some players have argued that they prefer the two-week schedule, while others have said that the one-week schedule is better. Casper Ruud revealed during his press conference that there are moments during the season when he feels like resting because of the length and hectic nature of it.

Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud (Image via X/ATP)

There are many moments during the year where you wish you had time to rest and think about things other than tennis. If you are among the top 30 in the world, with the current calendar, you know that you have to compete for around 30 weeks a year, and if you don’t, the penalties are severe. Most players believe this is too much. The primary goal of tennis players is to be heard more. We have an amazing sport, but we need the season to be shorter.

Casper Ruud said

Carlos Alcaraz has been outspoken about the length of the tennis schedule and that players aren’t able to rest well or spend time with their families. The issue has led to players choosing to prioritize certain tournaments over the other on tour.

Also Read: Daniil Medvedev believes he will soon start “winning titles again” despite Madrid Open exit