Ruud: "We have two unplayable guys on the circuit, but we must show they are human"
The Norwegian believes he has not yet reached the best level of his sports career and explains his good feelings on indoor courts after being champion in Stockholm.
Hard work, humility, and perseverance always end up paying off. Casper Ruud is a strong example of these three virtues, and his title at the ATP 250 Stockholm 2025 carries great implications for him. The Norwegian seems to be entering the final stretch of the year full of energy and motivation, as he himself confesses in a press conference where he talked about Sinner and Alcaraz.
Winning a major title for the first time has been overshadowed by an inconsistent season, far from the expected brilliance in Grand Slams with mental consistency issues and happiness on the court. Casper Ruud triumphed in Madrid, but it seemed like an oasis in a desert. The Norwegian has found another significant boost this week, clinching the title at the ATP 250 Stockholm 2025, and reflecting on symptomatic insights, captured by Tennis Weekly Podcast, on what it means to strive to be one of the best in the world at the moment.
- Casper Ruud explains his strong performance in Stockholm and analyzes his upcoming goals as a tennis player
- Ruud reveals the key to his improvement on indoor courts
"I consider that this week I have shown the best tennis of my career on indoor courts. I have understood that on this type of surface, I must be very aggressive in all my shots, play freely, and take more risks, especially with my backhand. The level of play I have demonstrated here makes me believe that I may not have reached the peak of my career yet, and that I still have room to continue improving with energy available to achieve it," explained the Norwegian.
- What winning in Stockholm means for Ruud
"Winning this title makes me very happy because it is a tournament I followed since I was a child, and I am aware that legends like Borg, Federer, McEnroe, or Nadal have competed here. Seeing the level of tennis I have displayed motivates me a lot and gives me the necessary inspiration to tackle the next two weeks with great confidence," asserted a Casper who has immersed himself in the fight to secure a spot at the ATP Finals 2025, for which he will need to keep winning matches in Basel and Paris.
- How can 'mortals' compete against Sinner and Alcaraz
"The calendar is very long, making it incredibly hard to move from one tournament to another with barely any time to process what has happened. We are pushing our bodies and minds to the limit. I believe that, in my case, it was crucial to take a break in the summer. That is what allows me to arrive now in good condition. Carlos and Jannik might have played over 70 matches this year, but I think it's tougher for the rest of us because we don't win as much as they do, and recovering from defeats every week is a challenge," he reflected.
It is symptomatic to see how after winning a title, such as this ATP 250 Stockholm 2025, the Norwegian cannot help but think about the dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. "Right now, we have two players on the circuit who are completely unplayable, but then there are about 30 players striving to improve and seize opportunities. We must accept that they are in a different sphere, forget about them, and simply try to evolve to make them seem human," Casper Ruud concluded before heading to Basel.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ruud: "Tenemos en el circuito a dos tipos injugables, pero debemos demostrar que son humanos"