Casper Ruud breaks silence on not becoming World No.1 after gutting loss to Carlos Alcaraz at US Open
Casper Ruud is yet to win his first Grand Slam title.
Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud at 2022 US Open final (Image via Imago)
Norwegian tennis ace Casper Ruud has been troubled a lot by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Ruud has lost all four of the matches played between the two players.
While three out of four have been one-side wins for Alcaraz, the 2022 US Open final was a closely fought contest as Ruud had won one set and had also forced a tiebreaker. However, he lost and that defeat still stings him.
The defeat in the US Open final was most upsetting for Ruud because that would have brought the crown jewels for a tennis player- a Grand Slam title and the World No.1 ranking. Had Ruud defeated Alcaraz, the Norwegian would have bagged his maiden Grand Slam title and would have also achieved the No.1 ranking.
However, Ruud’s dream could not be fulfilled as he lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-7, 3-6. The Norwegian then discussed this with Alexander Bublik and Benoit Paire at the dinner table. Ruud said he would have taken that opportunity. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old aspires to achieve the feat. Ruud also said that he would rather win a slam and then become No. 1 than become the top-ranked player without a Grand Slam title.
If [Carlos] Alcaraz lost before the final and I made the final, I would also be number one. He saved a match point against [Jannik] Sinner in the quarterfinal. So, if he lost his match and I made the final I would be number one. I would rather win a slam and do it once. To be the number one without winning a slam will feel a bit strange. I would not like to be number one without winning a slam.Casper Ruud is heard saying in a video shared by UTS Tour.
Where does Casper Ruud stand in his quest to winning the maiden Grand Slam title or becoming World No.1?
Casper Ruud is among the top-ranked players on the tour. The Norwegian is also rated highly by his peers and experts.
Ruud has also lived up to the hype, winning ten titles and reaching eight finals. Ruud has reached three Grand Slam finals so far in his career. The Norwegian has also received a career-high ranking of World No.2.
However, Casper Ruud has failed to climb the last ladder and achieve the ultimate goal. While he lost one Grand Slam final to Carlos Alcaraz, Ruud has lost two Grand Slam finals to the giants- Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. While this might get Ruud some sympathy, the Norwegian has made too many mistakes as well.
Out of the ten titles won so far, nine have come in clay-court tournaments. The only hardcourt title Ruud has won so far came at the San Diego Open in 2021. Also, out of the eight finals played, Ruud has managed only three hardcourt finals. This has led to a narrative that the Norwegian is comfortable only on one surface.
Now, looking at how the top players on the tour like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz play on every surface, Ruud needs to fix his game on the hardcourt if he has to fulfill his dreams. The Norwegian also needs to work on his fitness and stay consistent if he is to compete with the rising superstars on the tour.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)