Ruud emphasises the positives after run to Monte-Carlo final: “I feel I’m a bit more back on track”

Casper Ruud said his run to the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters proved that he’s on the right track again, after a difficult 2023 in which he struggled to live up to the expectations produced by a stunning 2022, when he reached two Grand Slam finals.

Having reached a second straight Roland-Garros final in 2023, he righted the ship pretty well but when he arrived in Australia at the start of this year, he admitted his efforts to bulk up had backfired, slowing him down on court and therefore reducing one of his big strengths, his movement.

But after cutting down on the weight training, and returning to his favourite surface of clay, Ruud looked back to his best for much of the week in Monte-Carlo, especially in the semi-finals, when he beat Novak Djokovic for the first time, at the same time recording his first win over a world No 1.

So losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday will have hurt but the Norwegian said he felt like he was more on an even keel again, able to play his best tennis.

“Obviously we cannot go back in time, but one year and a half ago, like you said, I was maybe not a few points but quite close to winning or I played at least the final in US Open and was fairly close to become world No 1,” he said.

“That year for me was fantastic. 2023 was a bit of a disappointment compared to 2022, but coming into 2023 I was prepared for, you know, it’s going to be a really tough year because I have a lot of results to try to defend, and hopefully you always want to do better but it’s not always easy.

“This year I’m feeling like I’m a little bit more back on track, I play a little bit more loose, not too much to lose anymore.”

Ruud has already achieveD so much

Ruud has racked up a series of firsts for his nation, the first Norwegian to reach a Grand Slam final and the first from his country to be ranked No 2.

And Ruud said he is trying to keep things in perspective, when it comes to losing a big final.

“I have achieved, sometimes, when I think about it, more things than I thought was possible in my career, but by doing that you also want to chase and push for even more. Obviously a Grand Slam or ATP 1000 is the next big dream, big goal of mine. Today I was able to play a final of a 1000. Wasn’t able to win, so I will continue to chase and try to improve my game always.

“I have taken a few small steps I think in the right direction last six months tennis-wise, physically also, and I think we are doing something right, and hopefully can continue on this positive trend that I’m in.”

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