“We have a strong bond,” Casper Ruud jokes with Ons Jabeur on losing two Grand Slam finals in 2022
Casper Ruud jokes about the misery of his and Ons Jabeur as the two players lost two Grand Slam finals during the 2022 season.
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Ons Jabeur and Casper Ruud with their respective runners-up trophy at the 2022 US Open
Casper Ruud and Ons Jabeur were two of the consistent players in the 2022 season. Although consistent, both of them were denied a Major trophy. Ruud finished runner-up at the 2022 French Open and the 2022 US Open losing to Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz respectively.
As for Jabeur, she lost the 2022 Wimbledon and the US Open to Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek respectively. The Tunisian rose to World No. 2 ranking due to her performances and so did Ruud on their respective Tours. But a Grand Slam title and the World No. 1 rank evaded them both. Ruud had the chance at the US Open as the winner was to become the top-ranked player. Alcaraz grabbed the opportunity overpowering the Norwegian.
With the focus now on Indian Wells in the Californian desert for both the ATP and WTA Tour, players have already reached the venue. As always, prior to Indian Wells, the Eisenhower Cup was played in the Tie Break Tens Mixed Doubles format. Both Ruud and Jabeur were in action at the exhibition event when Ruud had everyone in splits.
Speaking on the court with Jabeur by his side, the Norwegian said, “We both lost two slam finals last year, we kind of had it together so we have a strong bond now.” Jabeur couldn’t control her laughter and nodded her head in agreement alongside a smiling Ruud.
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Casper Ruud and Ons Jabeur looking to bounce back after shaky start
Things have not been going the way of both Ons Jabeur and Casper Ruud. The Norwegian had an extended 2022 season as he finished runner-up at the 2022 ATP Finals losing to Novak Djokovic. Post that, he immediately tagged alongside Rafael Nadal on his Latin American Exhibition Tour cutting short his vacation.
The effect showed during the 2023 season as he failed to perform Down Under. He won one of the two matches at the United Cup, suffered a first-round exit in Auckland, and a second-round exit from the 2023 Australian Open. He took more than a month’s break from the Tour but his return was not successful losing in the Round of 16 in Acapulco as well taking his season’s record to 3-4.
As for Jabeur, she lost in the round-robin of the 2022 WTA Finals. Starting her season in Australia, she reached the semis in Adelaide before suffering a shocking second-round exit in Melbourne Park. She picked up an injury and was forced to miss the action since then only to return in Indian Wells. World No. 2 at one time, both Ruud and Jabeur are now ranked 4th going into the first installment of Sunshine Double as the hardcourt season is about to be paused for a while now.
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Sarthak Shitole
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