Ruud acknowledges having experienced mental health problems: "I felt like a hamster on its wheel"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 1 May 2025 | 18.00

Casper Ruud, this is what he said after defeating Medvedev. Photo: gettyimages

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Naturally hardworking, unfairly perceived by a large part of the public opinion, and with a mental strength that should be valued. This is Casper Ruud, a player who is rediscovering his best form in this 2025 Mutua Madrid Open after dropping out of the top 10 last week. His victory against Daniil Medvedev is clear evidence that he still has everything it takes to succeed, especially on clay courts.

Being discreet, humble, and lacking particularly flashy shots may lead to great injustices being done to some players in terms of attention and media recognition. Casper Ruud is a clear example of this, but the Norwegian will continue to fight to prove to the world that he deserves a place among the best in the world, rightfully so. The steps he is taking in the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open are significant, as he expressed during a press conference after defeating Medvedev, also acknowledging that he had gone through a tough mental period.

- Mental health issues

"I don't want to delve too much into the issue, but the truth is that I've faced some mental health issues this year, so I sought professional help, and it has helped me a lot. Soon, I noticed a great improvement; I feel it's very beneficial to have someone to talk to about my feelings. The life of tennis is not easy, and there came a point where I was overwhelmed. Fortunately, I'm starting to feel good about myself again, waking up with excitement and a smile, and especially, I am grateful for being honest with myself, realizing that I needed help," he stated.

"I felt like a hamster on a wheel, taking many steps but not making any progress. The current calendar makes it impossible to slow down; I needed to break free from that spiral and reflect on my life, my feelings, and the path I was on. I've returned to the hamster wheel that the circuit leads us to, but with a much better mindset. Tennis is much more complicated than simply hitting the ball well," the Norwegian affirmed.

- Need for a change in the calendar

"There are many moments during the year where you wish you had time to rest and think about things other than tennis. If you are among the top 30 in the world, with the current calendar, you know that you have to compete for around 30 weeks a year, and if you don't, the penalties are severe. Most players believe this is too much. The primary goal of tennis players is to be heard more. We have an amazing sport, but we need the season to be shorter and to feel like more than just a puzzle piece. I'm glad that we are starting to mobilize; I have hopes for the future," he warned.

- Ball changes and their impact on the game

"I don't dwell on it much, but it's a topic many players discuss. There's a general feeling that the balls have changed drastically after the pandemic. I feel that in recent years, players are more capable of responding to my powerful shots because they used to bounce more, being livelier. Now, they all have the same pressure, making it more challenging to generate speed in them, and there's much less margin for error if you don't want your opponent to dominate you," Casper commented.

- Different personalities on the circuit and his calm demeanor

"It's good to have players with all kinds of personalities on the circuit. I am very calm because, since I was very young, I realized that my level increased when I was fully focused on my game, without thinking about what people may think. I have the mentality that if I give my best effort on the court, I will be appealing to tennis fans. I know that sports is also business and entertainment, but what I like most is to see athletes competing at their best. That's how I feel, and I will continue to maintain my composure for as long as possible," Casper Ruud argued firmly, as he is set to face Francisco Cerúndolo in the semifinals of the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ruud reconoce haber pasado problemas de salud mental: "Me sentía como un hámster en su rueda"