Casper Ruud pays special tribute to ‘electric’ Carlos Alcaraz before facing him at the ATP Finals
Sixth seed Casper Ruud will face Carlos Alcaraz to kickstart his ATP Finals campaign on Monday (November 11).
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Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud at 2024 Laver Cup (Image via Laver Cup website)
Sixth seed Casper Ruud has spoken highly of third seed Carlos Alcaraz ahead of their first group-stage match at this year’s ATP Finals. Ruud secured his spot in the tournament in the final week of the season after Novak Djokovic‘s withdrawal.
Speaking about Alcaraz, Ruud noted that Alcaraz has every shot in his repertoire. The duo has played four times on the ATP Tour, with the four-time Grand Slam champion winning all of those encounters.
His career is already close to legendary. I love watching him play, he’s so good for the game. I don’t necessarily always like playing against him because he’s so hard to beat. It usually comes down to fun points. He’s so electric, he can hit any shot in the world.
Casper Ruud in the pre-tournament press conference at the ATP Finals
The most memorable match between Alcaraz and Ruud came in the 2022 US Open final, where the Spaniard won in four sets. It was also the first Grand Slam title of Alcaraz’s career.
Beyond their on-court rivalry, Alcaraz and Ruud have also enjoyed success as part of a team. The most notable example came at this year’s Laver Cup, where the duo played a significant role in helping Team Europe claim its fifth Laver Cup title.
Carlos Alcaraz rates his 2024 tennis season
Carlos Alcaraz recently shared a candid reflection on his season as he prepares for the ATP Finals. He’s focused on finishing strong in Turin, where he aims to capture his first title at the season-ending championship.
It’s impossible to rate it 10/10 because you could always be better but it was a really amazing year for me. I would put it as 8.5 or 9. Around those numbers. It could be better with the gold medal and some other tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz said in the ATP Finals press conference
At just 21, the Spaniard has had an impressive year, winning two Grand Slam titles. After a demanding season, he’s ready to compete once more, hoping to add another major win to his career.
Though Alcaraz’s form has been inconsistent at times, he remains one of the most powerful players when he finds his rhythm. His 2024 season included remarkable achievements, despite injuries that kept him out of tournaments in Rio, Monte Carlo, and Rome.
In total, Alcaraz has won four titles this year, including two Grand Slam wins. Yet he faced some tough moments, especially during the North American hard-court stretch, which he took into account when rating his season.
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Fahad Hamid
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