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When he became a top-level player, Casper Ruud was regarded above all as a red clay specialist. The Norwegian ace has worked very hard with his team to prove to people that he is an all-around player, capable of putting anyone on all surfaces in trouble.
Ruud succeeded in this intent especially between 2022 and 2023, reaching three Grand Slam finals (two at Roland Garros and one at the US Open) and also the final at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Although he didn't win any of these titles, Casper proved to many fans and insiders that they didn't fully understand his game and that they were wrong about him.
The Norwegian came within one victory of becoming world number 1 and no one will be able to take away what he has achieved. However in the last year its level has dropped for a number of reasons. The current world number 5 has become more fluctuating and has struggled more to play his best tennis, even on his beloved red clay.
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Ruud accepts the challenge
Ruud has no intention of giving up and is continuing to practice with maximum intensity to get back to 100%. Precisely to achieve this goal, the 2023 French Open finalist has decided to participate in the Dallas and Acapulco tournaments at this time of the season instead of going to South America to play on red clay.
"I know that hard courts are less suited to my game than red clay," said Casper, who will face Nishioka in the quarterfinals in Texas.
"My game is not so effective on such a fast surface because my shots have a lot of top spin. I don't always hit the ball early enough and I become vulnerable to attacks from players who have very flat shots.
However, I am aware that I have to accept this challenge in order to improve. Dallas is the last tournament I'll play in indoor conditions, then I'll focus on outdoor tennis for the next 6-7 months. I hope to achieve great results" he concluded.
