WATCH: Casper Ruud thanks his parents and girlfriend Maria in an impassioned speech after the 2023 French Open final loss to Novak Djokovic
The Norwegian expressed his gratitude to those closest to him after losing his second French Open final in a row
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Casper Ruud (Image Credits: Eurosport)
Casper Ruud gave a passionate speech at the podium after his loss to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 French Open final. The 24-year-old was grateful and expressed it to his parents and girlfriend Maria in front of the crowd. He said they deserve credit for supporting and pushing him to do his best since he was a kid.
Ruud started by thanking his support staff and said there were too many of them to name. He then reserved special praise for those closest to him, his parents and his girlfriend. Ruud said, “To my own team and everyone involved – I cannot talk about every single one but you will know who you are. My father, my mother, my partner Maria, you are my closest ones and thank you so much for all the work you do, staying with me, pushing me and not just these two weeks but every day for all my life ever since I was a little boy. It’s been a long journey.”
The Norwegian fought bravely and defended brilliantly to take two of the three sets to seven games. Ruud played some beautiful shots which the spectators at the Philippe Chatrier Stadium audibly appreciated. But he ultimately fell short and witnessed Djokovic win his 23rd Grand Slam title.
Ruud was humble on the podium and recognized the greatness of Djokovic’s achievement. He addressed the 36-year-old and said, “I’m happy I’m the first one to congratulate you [Djokovic] from this stage so you will have many others congratulations to you, [coach] Goran [Ivanisevic] and everyone involved. You are doing a good job.” Ruud must be heartbroken to lose two French Open finals in a row, but he remained a class act with his words.
Also Read: Casper Ruud in disbelief after 2023 French Open final loss; says Novak Djokovic is not ‘human’
Casper Ruud’s journey at the 2023 French Open
Ruud was entering the French Open on the back of a mediocre clay court season. He started the clay season by winning the Estoril Open. But he exited the Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid Opens surprisingly early. He then showed signs of life at the Italian Open, reaching the semifinals. But he disappointed again at the Geneva Open, which was just before the French Open.
He was still coming to Paris as the runner-up of the 2022 edition and World Number 4. It was also widely known that clay was Ruud’s favorite surface. He banished the ghosts of recent tournaments as he started with a straight sets win in the first round. Ruud then won the next two games in four sets and seemed to return to his groove. He then defeated Nicolas Jerry in straight sets to secure a quarterfinal berth.
There he faced his first seeded opponent in Holger Rune. But Ruud was brilliant as he won a four-setter with ease. His semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev was predicted to be closed. Ruud proved these predictions wrong as he blew Zverev out of the water. He dominated the game, winning by a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 6-0. The final against Djokovic saw Ruud force two seven-game sets but he could never dominate. Ruud would be proud of his performances regardless and expressed his desire to get to the finals again.
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