Casper Ruud’s willpower to by no means cease bettering has helped him change into essentially the most profitable male participant within the historical past of Norwegian tennis.
Yet regardless of profitable 9 ATP Tour titles, reaching two Grand Slam finals and climbing as excessive as No. 2 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, the 23-year-old stays some of the grounded personalities within the sport.
As Netflix’s new documentary collection Break Point takes a behind-the-scenes take a look at Ruud’s 2022 season, ATPTour.com lays out 5 issues to know concerning the ice-cool Norwegian.
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1) Like Father, Like Son
Both Ruud and his father Christian Ruud are thought-about trailblazers for Norwegian tennis. The former World No. 39 Christian was the highest-ranked Norwegian in Pepperstone ATP Rankings historical past till Casper stormed previous that benchmark in 2020. Casper has gone on to achieve a career-high rating of No. 2 and in 2022 reached the ultimate at each Roland Garros and the US Open. He fortunately attributes a few of that success to Christian, who’s his long-time coach.
“We checked out some [other coaches], however I mentioned that, ‘I’m extra comfy with you being round’,” Casper instructed ATPTour.com final 12 months. “I do know {that a} coach will accomplish that a lot for you and be very useful, however when it is the daddy as nicely, you are feeling like you’re taken further care of, as a result of a father will care possibly these further percentages as a result of he is your loved ones.”
Christian Ruud watches his son Casper throughout follow at Roland Garros in 2021. Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images
2) He Is A Golf Fanatic
It wasn’t simply tennis that Ruud took to at an early age. The Norwegian can also be a lifelong golf lover and tries to sneak in a spherical at any time when his busy schedule on Tour permits. The 23-year-old even has a separate Instagram account (@casper_golfer) devoted to his ardour for the game.
“I like the best way that golf is so difficult, nevertheless it’s additionally potential for regular folks to earn a superb rating,” wrote Ruud on ATPTour.com in 2020. “Anyone could make a birdie if they’re a bit fortunate and, in these moments, it feels really easy to play golf. At different instances, it feels so exhausting. The highs and lows of the game are excessive, much more than tennis, and the small print are so small.”
3.) Shania Twain Is Impressed
Having witnessed Ruud’s title win in Gstaad in 2021, nation music legend Shania Twain returned to Switzerland final 12 months to assist the Norwegian in his bid for a second consecutive title within the lovely Alpine city. Once once more, she loved watching Ruud energy his approach to victory, later tweeting in assist of her pal. “Spent my Sunday watching Casper Ruud win his second Swiss Open Gstaad,” Twain wrote. “Congratulations my pal, what a consequence!”
Ruud, who first met the Canadian singer by mutual pals throughout his 2021 run, was grateful for Twain’s backing. “I actually appreciated that she got here again this 12 months and supported me within the ultimate,” he mentioned after his 2022 victory. “It was good to see her once more.”
Spent my Sunday watching Casper Ruud win his second @SwissOpenGstaad! Congratulations my pal, what a consequence! ???????? pic.twitter.com/lQhHuGax4g
— Shania Twain ???????????? (@ShaniaTwain) July 25, 2022
4) He Has Trained At The Academy Of His Childhood Idol, ATP Tour Legend Rafael Nadal
Ruud has typically spoken about how he grew up idolising Rafael Nadal, and since September 2018 the Norwegian has had the prospect to coach continuously with the Spanish legend, at instances making the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca his dwelling base.
“I at all times felt like I’ve performed with good depth in my sport, and I want it to play nicely, however I’ve gotten that further 10 or 20 per cent from being there,” Ruud, who was outdoors the Top 100 when he made the transfer to Spain, instructed ATPTour.com previous to the 2020 season. “That’s the small margin that may change whether or not you’re No. 10 [in the ATP Rankings] or No. 60… When I practise with Rafa, he will get to push me round and I’m normally exhausted after a few hours. They’re powerful classes, however they’re nice.”
5) He Is One Of A Number Of Norwegians Making Their Mark On The World Stage.
Ruud is a part of a wave of younger Norwegians which have taken the sporting world by storm in recent times. Manchester City soccer star Erling Haaland, Top 10-ranked golfer Viktor Hovland and champion Olympic runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen additionally hail from a northern European nation normally extra related to success in winter sports activities. With a inhabitants of simply 5 million, how does Ruud clarify the sudden emergence of so many superstars?
“I assume we’re younger, hungry to do nicely, simply targeted on our sports activities,” Ruud mentioned final 12 months when requested about his, Haaland and Ingebrigtsen’s success. “It’s not one thing you may plan. It simply occurs. It’s coincidental typically.
“Maybe it is the salmon we eat or the contemporary water. I do not know what is going on on… We hope we are able to preserve it going, that extra folks can find out about Norway as a rustic and in addition athletes from Norway that may do nicely in larger sports activities.”
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