“Caught me a little bit by surprise” – Ruud sad to see Nadal retire

After beating Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals in Turin, Casper Ruud shared his thoughts about the upcoming retirement of tennis legend Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud, Bastad 2024 Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

November 12, 2024

Norway’s Casper Ruud revealed that he was caught a bit surprised by 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal‘s decision to retire at the end of this season.

Ruud and Nadal have a long association with the Norwegian training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain for many years now. Last month, Nadal announced that he would retire at the Davis Cup Finals later this month.

Ruud, like many of Nadal’s fans, admitted he thought the Spaniard would be back for another clay court season.

“Caught me a little bit by surprise that he announced it because I was maybe thinking he would give it one more try during the clay next year,” Ruud told the media in Turin after his win over Nadal’s countryman, Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals on Monday. “At the same time I know he’s been struggling with a lot of pains and injuries. It just tears you also down mentally. At some point you call it a day. I think it will be a nice finish for him. It’s going to be sad and there will be some tears obviously. As a big fan myself, I hope they make it to the final and you get to watch him at least for a few more days. I hope he has the kind of retirement that he deserves. Just the best for him for the next.”

I think Novak said it well during the Saudi tournament. Please don’t retire yet because you have so many fans around the world.

Ruud, who will not be in Malaga to watch the Spaniard’s last tournament, also talked about the inevitability of the game’s legends retiring.

“I think it was inevitable obviously with Roger, him, Andy and Novak kind of being the last of those guys who will retire at some point. I kind of think Novak said it well during the Saudi tournament. Please don’t retire yet because you have so many fans around the world. Even among the players, it’s kind of… One match that showed it quite clearly to me was during the Roland Garros this year, there were a lot of players that came out to watch Rafa-Zverev. Typically you don’t have Swiatek, Novak, Carlos, everyone coming out to watch the first round of a slam. But when it’s Rafa, it’s different.”