A Family of Tennis Stars
Casper Ruud has become Norway's greatest tennis player, surpassing his father's achievements on the court. His father, Christian Ruud, had a successful career as an ATP professional, earning £1.1 million in prize money and reaching a career-high ranking of 39 in the world. Casper has now taken the title of Norway's best male tennis player, reaching three Grand Slam finals and achieving a career-high ranking of No2.
A Shared Court with Federer
Both father and son had the opportunity to share a court with tennis legend Roger Federer. Christian Ruud practiced with a young Federer at an exhibition event in Houston, while Casper faced Federer at the French Open in 2019. Despite his young age, Casper impressed Federer with his skills and determination.
Struggles in Grand Slam Finals
Although Casper Ruud has reached three Grand Slam finals, he has yet to secure a title. He was comprehensively beaten by Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in 2022 and by Novak Djokovic in 2023. In the 2022 US Open final, he won a set against Carlos Alcaraz but ultimately fell short. However, his performances have earned him a career-high ranking and a place in the year-end ATP Finals.
A Love for Clay and a Nightmare at Wimbledon
Ruud has always favored clay courts and had his breakthrough on the red dirt of Paris. He reached the third round of the French Open in 2019, where he faced Federer. However, he has struggled on grass courts, publicly admitting his dislike for the surface and even claiming to be allergic to it. He has had better success on other surfaces and has never lost a Grand Slam quarter-final or semi-final.
Overall, Casper Ruud has established himself as a rising star in the world of tennis, following in his father's footsteps and making a name for himself on the international stage.
