Ruud: "My ranking is worse than years ago, but I feel like I am a much better tennis player"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 12 May 2026 | 14.24

Casper Ruud, competitiveness of the ATP circuit. Photo: gettyimages

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Casper Ruud signed a convincing victory against Lorenzo Musetti to advance in the ATP Masters 1000 Roma 2026 and confirmed the good feelings he has been carrying on clay courts. The Norwegian analyzed the match in the press conference with honesty and acknowledged that he physically noticed his opponent's difficulties during the game, also reflecting on the competitiveness of the circuit.

Beyond the triumph, Casper Ruud shared interesting reflections on his evolution as a player, the overall increase in the ATP circuit's level, and the balance he currently maintains between professional tennis and his recent fatherhood. The Scandinavian also talked about the mental toughness required in sports, the frustrations that players endure, and why he considers the tennis scoring system to be one of the most special in the sports world.

Musetti's Physical Condition During the Match

"There is a risk of overthinking it because we analyze opponents a lot, no matter who you play against. Since it had been a while since I faced Lorenzo, I did some research and watched many of his matches here in Rome. I even watched his match against Cerúndolo live, and towards the end, he seemed to be struggling physically."

"I realized that if that was the case, I had to make him run as much as possible. It's cruel and brutal, but this is sports. You have to do everything possible to win. Every victory is important to me. Obviously, I hope he gets well and recovers soon, but by the end of the match, it was clear that he was suffering. It's a shame for the spectacle and for the player himself, but that's the brutality of this sport and many others."

Handling an Injured Opponent

"It's a delicate balance. When you see that the other player is not physically well, you have to avoid both rushing and giving away easy points. Often, when someone plays injured or without pressure, they start hitting incredible shots because they just let go. That's why it's not easy to manage those situations. I felt I was in a good rhythm, with good sensations and confidence. I had already played some good matches here and just tried to continue in that line."

His Current Level and the Evolution of the ATP Circuit

"Honestly, I feel like I'm quite close to my best level. It's interesting because even though my ranking now is lower than a few years ago, I feel like I'm a better player than two, three, or four seasons ago."

"The ranking doesn't always reflect how you feel on the court. I'm also realistic and know that this year I lost matches I maybe shouldn't have lost. The quality of tennis keeps rising constantly. Although I feel I have improved a lot, other players have also, even more. It's fine, I just have to accept it and keep working hard."

Fatherhood and Life on the Circuit

"I try to take only positive things from this experience. We are fortunate to travel with a nanny who takes care of our daughter at night so that I can rest and recover."

"During the day, I spend a lot of hours at the club, so I try to dedicate the afternoons and evenings to being with her. She brings me so much joy and always makes me smile."

"In the coming years, there will be many different stages in her life, and I hope to be even more present. Right now, I try to ensure she has a comfortable and happy life."

His Reflection on the Tennis Scoring System

"The beauty of tennis is that it is not dependent on time. In other sports, you can run the clock out when you're winning, but in tennis, you have to go out and close the match."

"Even if you're ahead on the scoreboard, you have to continue being aggressive. That's the beauty of this sport: you can be very close to winning and still lose. Many matches in the ATP circuit are decided by two, three, or five crucial points. That's where all the difference lies."

"I really like the current system. Perhaps the no-ad format is fun because it adds more tension, but I honestly believe that tennis has a fantastic scoring system."

Casper Ruud continues to gain confidence in Rome and once again emerges as one of the most dangerous names heading into Roland Garros. The Norwegian is going through a moment of maturity both in his sport and personal life and continues to demonstrate that, despite the wild growth in the ATP circuit's level, he remains one of the most solid and thoughtful players in the world of tennis.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ruud: "Mi ranking es peor que hace años, pero siento que soy mucho mejor tenista"