Casper Ruud - Not yet ready for the really big title?
Three 250 titles, third place in the ATP charts at the end of the year: The tennis year 2022 meant well for Casper Ruud . But it could have gone even better.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Nov 21, 2022, 04:39 pm
No Spanish opponents in a grand final, please. Casper Ruud expressed this wish after his final defeat at the US Open against Carlos Alcaraz. The third final of Format did not go as Ruud had wished either, in Turin yesterday against Novak Djokovic he basically had no real chance of a surprise.
Well, good: to end the tennis year 2022 as number three in the world is worthy of all honor. Which also underscores Ruud's self-assessment, who after losing to Djokovic said he had achieved more than he thought this season. It has become three tournament victories, all at 250 events: in Buenos Aires, Gstaad and Geneva. Ruud has not yet won a championship in this category.
Ruud could become number one
"It gives me motivation and hunger for the next opportunity should I reach a final like this again," explained Ruud. "I hope I can learn from what I've done and failed to do this year. I know I can still improve. Although I'm actually very happy with my game and how things are going."
These things could develop even more spectacularly at the Australian Open in early 2023. Because should Casper Ruud reach the final in Melbourne, lose there to Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz be eliminated before the quarter-finals, then Casper Ruud would become the new number one in the world. Which he almost succeeded in Flushing Meadows. But as is well known, a Spaniard stood in the way again.