casper ruud

Biography

Overview
The highest-ranked Norwegian in ATP history and a three-time Grand Slam singles finalist, Ruud is undefeated in Laver Cup competition following decisive singles victories at Boston 2021 and London 2022. Most recently he was runner-up at Roland Garros to 23-major singles champion, Novak Djokovic. Oslo-born Ruud, 24, holds 10 ATP singles titles and has been a stand-out contender among the next generation of players, compiling excellent results on clay and hard court surfaces.

Off Court
Ruud’s idol growing up was Rafael Nadal, and after starting tennis aged four, he spent time at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca. He loves watching golf and has a separate Instagram account to share his passion for the sport, @casper_golfer. He says he would be a pilot if he had not been a successful tennis player and follows the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team. He is coached by his father, Christian, who achieved a career-high No.39 ranking on the ATP Tour.

 Career
A former World No.1 junior, Ruud won his 10^th ATP title at Estoril in April and was a semi-finalist at the Rome Masters where he lost to Scandinavian rival Rune, who he later defeated in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. Ruud reached his first Grand Slam final in Paris 12 months ago, falling to 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal. He then pushed Carlos Alcaraz to four sets in the US Open final in 2022 and climbed to a career-high No.2. To top off his breakthrough year, Ruud reached the championship match at the ATP Finals, falling to Djokovic, his victor in the Roland Garros 2023 final.

2023 Highlights
Winner: Estoril
Runner-up: Bastad, Roland Garros
Semifinals: Rome
Quarterfinals: Geneva, Hamburg
Round of 16: Barcelona, Monte Carlo