Casper Ruud salutes Novak Djokovic for a spectacular comeback to finish the season with ATP Finals despite the debacle in Australia
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Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud had a bittersweet ending to his 2022 season as he lost another big final. Playing against Novak Djokovic for the title match in the 2022 ATP Finals, Ruud had no answers for the Serb who won his 6th ATP Finals title. Djokovic won the match 7-5, 6-3 to wrap up his season in style.
For Ruud, it was another heartbreak. From the 5 big events of the season, the 4 Grand Slams and the Year-End Championships, he made it to the finals in 3 of them but the story remained the same. Rafael Nadal beat him in the French Open, Carlos Alcaraz did the same in the US Open, and yesterday it was Djokovic.
For Djokovic, it was a fantastic end to the season. After being left out of two Grand Slams and having inconsistent runs, none can deny Djokovic fought extra hard for glory this season. Ruud made it a point to address this fact and congratulated the Serb during his on-court speech.
“Congrats to Novak, you, and your team of course. I can’t imagine how difficult this year has been for you at times, so hats off to you for what you have overcome and what you have achieved. This year it’s been nothing but remarkable so congratulations again for showing everyone you’re still up there and still finishing off the year in a great way,” said Ruud.
Both Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud end the season in Top-5
Djokovic was ranked 8th going into the tournament and the Serb rose 3 places with the title. He finishes as the World No. 5 to conclude the season. As for Ruud, he had the chance to finish as the World No. 2 had he been able to clinch the title. The defeat however sees him finish as the World No. 3 swapping places with Stefanos Tsitsipas who ends the season as World No. 4.
Both Ruud and Djokovic are now set for off-season exhibition matches. While Djokovic will feature at the World Tennis League in Dubai, Ruud will be joining Nadal at his South American Tour where the two will play against each other once again.
Also Read: List of records broken by Novak Djokovic after winning the 2022 ATP Finals
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)