Casper Ruud and the evolution of a ‘full and aggressive’ participant | ATP Tour

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Ruud and the evolution of a ‘full and aggressive’ participant

August 31, 2024

As he virtually all the time does, Casper Ruud has reached the final sixteen of the US Open with out making an excessive amount of of a splash. The Norwegian, who got here again from two units down on Friday to see off Juncheng Shang, will face Taylor Fritz (2-0 of their Lexus ATP Head2Head) on Sunday with a spot within the quarters up for grabs.

With two ATP Tour titles to his title thus far in 2024 (Barcelona and Geneva), Ruud now has an opportunity to remain within the combat for the large prizes at Flushing Meadows.

“I believe it’s been a really constructive 12 months, he’s been very constant in most tournaments, permitting him to have a steady place among the many 10 greatest gamers and to continue to grow as a participant,” Pedro Clar, Ruud’s coach, informed ATPTour.com. “The season could be very lengthy however we consider he’s in nice type when it comes to his recreation, his health, and mentally. You all the time must take it match by match however you additionally must consider you are able to do one thing massive right here on the US Open and within the the rest of the season.”

Ruud, after all, is aware of what it’s to ‘do one thing massive’ within the season’s ultimate Grand Slam. In 2022, the present No. 8 within the PIF ATP Rankings reached the ultimate, the place he bowed out to Carlos Alcaraz within the match the place the No. 1 spot was additionally at stake.

How has Ruud modified on laborious courtroom because the ultimate two years in the past?

“Though 2022 was the higher 12 months when it comes to outcomes, I believe when it comes to his recreation he’s a extra full participant, as a result of he’s managed to be extra aggressive from the again of the courtroom,” supplied Clar. “He has extra number of pictures on his backhand and he’s additionally improved so much on the return. I believe this stuff are key to being a greater participant on quick courtroom,” continued the Spanish coach from the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar.

“One other side I’d level to is the psychological aspect. The truth that he has consolidated himself among the many High 10 for a couple of years now means he’s coaching laborious day by day to enhance each side of his tennis,” he continued. “The calls for at this degree are very excessive and you must do this as a way to keep there.”

An expert since 2015, Ruud has managed to evolve his recreation from high to backside, altering from a clay-court specialist to an all-round hazard man, able to be aggressive on any floor.

“I believe all through all these years, he has progressed in each side, each when it comes to his tennis, his health and mentally, however the tennis half is undoubtedly the place he has progressed essentially the most,” famous Clar. “After we began, Casper was extra of a clay-court fashion participant, his recreation was primarily primarily based on an excellent serve and taking part in together with his forehand, however because the years have passed by he has turn out to be a extra full and aggressive participant,” defined the coach.

“Ultimately, you must hold considering and dealing to enhance his recreation, as a result of with the extent on tour, in case you don’t assume, you get left behind.”

Ruud’s character, his character and his values, have additionally been essential in his tennis journey. They’re the important thing to participant and coach having fun with such an excellent, wholesome relationship after so lengthy collectively.

“I’ve all the time mentioned that teaching Casper is a privilege, each due to how he’s on the courtroom and the way he’s off it,” mentioned Clar. “In fact, there may be pressure and targets that demand the utmost professionalism from the entire staff, however the human aspect is all the time there, which makes the whole lot simpler from each day,” he continued. “Since we began working collectively, we’ve all the time had an excellent feeling and belief in each other, and that has solely grown because the years have handed, which is of nice significance to me.”

In fact, it is a blessing in case you step by step wish to aspire to massive issues.

“He’s by no means reacted badly to something and that exhibits how he’s as a participant and an individual,” the Spanish coach defined. “Casper has some nice values that have been instilled by his household, I believe you may see that on courtroom and it characterises him as a participant.”

– This story has been republished from ATPTour.com/es