Casper Ruud (Oslo, Norway, 22 years old) debuts this Monday on the grass of the Mallorca Championship (ATP 250) against Frenchman Gilles Simon. He has been at the Nadal Academy since he was 19, a venue that he considers part of his successes and the step forward he took in 2021. He attends AS from the Balearic island before the tournament.
-What are your feelings this season?
The truth is that I am very happy with my performance in 2021 (it is 15th in the ATP ranking). I am adding experience, learning and performing at a good level, in addition to achieving good results, which is what gives me confidence. Now is the grass season, which is not the one I defend myself the best, but I also want to do well.
-Semifinals in Madrid, Monte Carlo … and also a title in Genoa. What is the reason for this jump?
I feel great mentally. I have come a long way in several gravel tournaments and also in consecutive weeks. The intention is to be able to maintain this line, since I have just completed my best season on clay. In Genoa I had the best moment of my career, because I had already won another title (in Buenos Aires last year), but this time I was able to celebrate it on the track with my family.
-What do you expect from the Mallorca Championship?
I come with a lot of desire to play. Here, years ago, I played a Futures (promises) tournament, and I took the title, so I have good memories. I make my debut against Gilles Simon, who is a great player, although my mental state is positive. I will have to be solid with the right and hit with the serve. This is the grass! (between laughs)
-How is the life of a player at the Nadal Academy?
I train for two hours a day and then I have an hour and a half in the gym. It is a great place to train and stay in shape. It has everything to keep adding and also to relax, like the spas. Even if Nadal is around, you can rally with him from time to time. There are also hard days, but they help you improve. The atmosphere is very good.
Ruud, champion this year in Genoa
AFP
-At only 22 years old, do young people aim high on the circuit?
I am young, of course, but there are others even younger like Alcaraz or Sinner who are already showing their talent in big tournaments. A very good generation is coming, and I want to be part of it, continue to give joy and settle among the best.
-What is your calendar after Mallorca?
Despite starting on grass, when we finish (after Wimbledon) in principle I will play two or three tournaments, again, on clay. Then the fast track, in the United States, but I still have to specify some details and decide.
-And the Tokyo Games?
I have discarded them, because they will also be different Games due to the pandemic, especially due to the restrictions. This year it fit very badly in my schedule, but I do have the illusion of being in an Olympic event. Paris, three years from now, is a great opportunity.
-It is the question of the moment. Between Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, for you, who is the best in history?
It is a very difficult question, because any of the three has arguments to say that it is the best. What Nadal has done is special, because winning thirteen times in a tournament like Roland Garros is incredible. They are all three very good, and they are among the ten or fifteen best in history. Not of tennis, but of all sport.