“Leave the sports stars alone,” Casper Ruud’s father reveals the special treatment that the ATP icon receives back home

The former World No. 39 compared how the Norwegian people are different from fans of other countries.

“Leave the sports stars alone,” Casper Ruud’s father reveals the special treatment that the ATP icon receives back home

Christian Ruud and Casper Ruud (via IMAGO)

Former World No. 2 Casper Ruud continues to be coached by his father, Christian Ruud, a former Top-50 player himself. Ruud Sr. was the highest-ranked Norwegian (World No. 39) until his son overtook him. 

Christian’s best run at the Grand Slams came at the Australian Open in 1997, when he made the fourth round. His son has bettered that record as well. While Casper is yet to go beyond the fourth round in Melbourne, he has made three Grand Slam finals. 

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The 25-year-old is a two-time runner-up at the French Open, losing the 2022 finals to Rafael Nadal and then the 2023 final to Novak Djokovic. He also made the finals of the 2022 US Open but lost to Carlos Alcaraz.

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The two young guns were also fighting to become World No. 1 with the title, but the Spaniard denied Casper. As he now prepares for the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS), which moves to Oslo, his hometown, Casper’s father and coach Christian spoke on various topics. 

Christian has not only coached his son but also his youngest daughter, Charlotte, who recently signed up for college tennis at the University of South Florida. With Ruud’s family popularity rising given Casper’s exploits on the Tour, the former World No. 39 commented on how the Norwegians react upon seeing them. 

Well, I think actually Norwegians are quite like humble and leave the stars alone and so I think most people will recognise him, but they don’t necessarily bother him with pictures and autographs all the time.
Said Ruud Sr. speaking with Tennis Majors.
Of course, some people will do that. But in general, they’re quite like humble and they leave the sports stars alone a little bit, so I think it’s not a big issue or problem for Casper actually.
Added the former pro.

Christian Ruud proud of his son for increasing fans of tennis in Norway

Coming from a country like Norway, there haven’t been many good players on the Tour. Earlier, it was Christian himself, and now the legacy is carried forward by his son Casper.

Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud poses for photos with his fans (credits: IMAGO)

With the 25-year-old having risen to World No. 2 as well, the popularity of the sport has increased a lot in the country. 

Speaking about the impact UTS could have on Norwegians, Christian recalled how the sport has evolved, not only in Norway but in the entire Scandinavian region. He credited Bjorn Borg for giving rise to the sport. The Swede won five consecutive Wimbledon titles and six French Open titles in eight years. 

We had Sweden with Bjorn Borg, that brought to tennis to Scandinavia in a way, but Norway didn’t follow. Maybe I made the tennis a bit popular in Norway but of course Casper is a lot better than me and he’s brought attention to the tennis in Norway. I think it’s getting more and more popular now every year.
Commented Christian.

He also recalled how the weather conditions brought the best out of Norwegians in winter sports such as cross-country skiing and alpine skiing. But the success of Casper has now led to better facilities and development in the sport, something of which he is very proud.

The UTS edition in Oslo will be held at the Telenor Arena from February 9–11. Alongside Casper, Denmark’s Holger Rune, Russian Andrey Rublev, winner in Frankfurt, Frenchman Gael Monfils, Kazakhstani mercurial Alexander Bublik, and former US Open champ Dominic Thiem are also participating. 

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