“Novak Djokovic’s backhand resists players like Rafael Nadal” Norwegian No. 1 Casper Ruud compares the two greats on Clay

“Novak Djokovic’s backhand resists players like Rafael Nadal” Norwegian No. 1 Casper Ruud compares the two greats on Clay

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud (images via Record/X)

21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic are undoubtedly two of the greatest ever to grace the court of tennis. The two have met numerous times on the court and have enthralled the fans with their amazing play challenging each other for the biggest of titles.

While the debate for who is the greatest continues, different players and fans have had their own say in it. Joining in the conversation is Norway’s pride Casper Ruud who is slowly rising in the rankings having clinched 5-titles last season all coming on Clay. Having broken into the Top-10 already, Ruud pointed out the difference between what makes Djokovic different from Nadal on the soil.

“He plays a little differently from Rafa. The thing about Novak is that his backhand is so pure and so good that he resists players like Rafa better who like to stress their opponent’s backhand because it’s difficult with the high rebound, with the heaviness of the ball. Novak has such good backhand control.

“It’s hard to find fault with his game and his forehand isn’t a weakness either, so he can produce shot winners and defend on both sides all the time. He doesn’t rest in a corner of the court when we play against him, because he can either play with his backhand and push you back with it, or with his forehand, find angles and produce different shots,” said Ruud as reported by Welovetennis.

Casper Ruud’s record against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud
Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud

The 23-year old Norwegian has so far played Djokovic twice on the Tour. They first met in the semi-finals of the 2020 Rome Masters when Novak won in straight-sets to reach the finals where he eventually became the champion defeating Diego Schwartzman. Ruud and Novak next met in the round-robin of the 2021 ATP Finals where Novak won again to take a 2-0 lead against the Norwegian.

Nadal and Ruud are yet to meet on the Tour so far and after the recent comments of Ruud on showing why Novak is at par with Nadal, the King of Clay would look to prove why he is called the ‘King’ of the surface and is probably the greatest ever clay-court player.

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