Casper Ruud: Federer, Nadal and Djokovic look two meters tall
Casper Ruud first drew attention to himself in 2019 - when he met Roger Federer at the French Open. He remembers the game well.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Nov 29, 2020, 03:26 pm
Casper Ruud should actually be one of the players who could feel a little less tension when entering the big men's tour. After all, dad Christian Ruud was also a professional, making it to 39th place in the ATP rankings in 1995, and son Casper should have gotten a taste of the crazy world of tennis.
When it comes to the legends of the sport? Does it look a little different anyway. Casper Ruud had drawn the big third-round lot at the French Open with Roger Federer last year - and did well there at 3: 6, 1: 6 and 6: 7 (8).
According to the Norwegian in an interview with tv2.no , some matches were remembered more precisely, including this one. And the time around it. "The night before the game against Federer I found it difficult to sleep. When you're in bed, you get a lot of thoughts," said the now 21-year-old. "This is the time when you think the most about what's going to happen the next day. And when you meet someone who is considered the legend of your own sport, it's clear that you are a little more nervous."
Great presence from Federer, Nadal and Djokovic
The presence of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic can not only be felt on the pitch, according to Ruud. "A few years ago in Melbourne, we were sitting in a large café where all the players came to eat. When Federer walked in, it was completely quiet, everyone turned around - the legend was there." Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are all around 1.85 meters, "but it seems as if they are 2 meters because you have so much respect for them."
Ruud himself is currently in 27th place in the ranking, and 2020 was quite successful for him, despite the difficult Corona period: In February he won his first title at the Argentinia Open. Only at the French Open was round 3 over again, because the bad luck in the draw had stayed with Ruud - this time his opponent was Dominic Thiem .