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13 May 2025 | 17.53
Casper Ruud faces Jaume Munar in the round of 16 of the ATP Rome 2025 in a few hours. The Norwegian, as in every season, arrived at the clay court tour with some concern about his ranking and points, as his year largely depends on these tournaments. Despite starting with a surprising defeat, Casper regained confidence to conquer Madrid, and now he advances steadily in the Italian Masters 1000.
His first Masters 1000
"It's a good feeling, and I can always say that I have won a Masters 1000. I haven't noticed a big difference or a big impact on my life yet. I still sleep the same, watch the same programs, practice the same. I am the same, but when you win a Masters 1000, it adds more respect to your name and your career," Casper stated in an interview with Tennis Majors.
His previous losses in Grand Slam finals
"They were tough and fair defeats. I simply wasn't good enough in those big finals. Carlos Alcaraz crossed my path several times, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and then I lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo. If I had never won a 1000 or didn't win a Slam, I would still be very proud of my career. I kept reminding myself that clay should be an advantage for me, that I should feel at home. I tried to stay positive.
In the end, you get so tired of doing it that you almost give up. I'm nowhere near Rafa, I don't intend to compare myself. That's how you win many matches on clay. I tried to bring that same mentality into the match, and it helped me cross the finish line as a champion. The last match summed it up very well. There was a video from a very good angle where you could see how I tried to play strong to his backhand."
His opinion on the ATP Ranking
"From early last year until Roland Garros, I won about 3,000 points. I have to defend them. I'm not there yet, although this victory in Madrid helps a lot. You think about it, but at the same time, you know that the ranking will go up and down. Honestly, whether I'm number seven this week, 14, or 18, I'm going to keep working. I'm going to stay the same person.
It's not the same, but what I mean is that when I went to Madrid, I was the 15th in the world, I think, or around that ranking, and when I went to the court to train here, what's the difference? None. I keep hitting my forehand the same way. I still play my backhand the same."
The importance of the clay court tour
"It's a nice feeling to appear as one of the top 10 players, like the number 7 in the world or whatever. But rankings are real ups and downs, while victories in tournaments are something you can keep forever. I still have 1,000 points to defend, with Geneva and Paris around the corner. If I do well in Rome and Paris, it could be a very important week. Last year I made it to the ATP Finals, but from Roland Garros to Turin, I didn't win many matches. With a good clay court season, you can build momentum for the rest of the year."
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ruud: "Las clasificaciones son auténticos altibajos, soy la misma persona"
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