Casper Ruud, frequently thought to be a claycourt specialist, shocked everybody by way of achieving the semifinals of the 2022 US Open, however the Norwegian himself does not assume it’s out of the strange.
With Rafael Nadal, holder of a file 14 titles on the French Open, and Dominic Thiem, every other distinguished claycourter, a number of the former champions at Flushing Meadows, Ruud printed that he took inspiration from them for his miraculous run this previous week.
Dealing with off in opposition to Matteo Berrettini within the quarterfinals, the Global No. 7 installed an elegant show of tennis, beating the Italian 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4) in instantly units.
Talking at his press convention later on, Ruud contemplated how the United States Open has all the time had extra selection in its listing of champions than another Main.
“I believe when you take a look at this event, US Open, and a few gamers who’ve been referred to as clay court docket gamers, shall we embrace Rafa and Thiem, they’ve each received right here, and [Nadal] has received it 4 instances,” Casper Ruud mentioned. “While you take a look at the Champions Wall within the locker room right here, you spot there are lots of other gamers who’ve received this event.”
This yr as smartly, New York is certain to have a brand new champion, and the 23-year-old sees no explanation why as to why it should not be him. With town romantically thought to be a “Town of Goals,” the Norwegian hopes to make use of a few of that power to assist his recreation and cross the entire means at Flushing Meadows.
“It is a Grand Slam the final 18 or 19 years that had extra winners than the remainder of them, as a result of I am not positive why, however there’s something particular I suppose with this position,” he mentioned, including, “This yr I am beautiful positive there will probably be new first-time winner right here this yr additionally. It presentations that it is conceivable to do it right here in New York. It is kind of a town of desires, I suppose, and I suppose that is serving to me with my recreation and my motivation.”
Ruud went directly to admit that he was once somewhat shocked to achieve the semifinals too, however added that his ultimate run on the Miami Open this yr, the place he completed second-best to Carlos Alcaraz, confirmed him that he was once able to beating just right gamers on hardcourts.
“I am truthfully somewhat shocked that I made it to the semis right here, however I believe I’ve advanced my laborious court docket recreation so much the final yr or two, and I believe Miami this yr confirmed me and I proved to myself that I will be able to, you recognize, beat just right gamers and achieve later phases in giant laborious court docket tournaments. That has been a kind of self assurance booster for myself,” he mentioned.
“It is not like I do not experience taking part in at the laborious court docket in any respect or that I do not understand how to do it” – Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud on the 2022 US Open
Casper Ruud additional printed throughout the click convention that he had spent a large number of time taking part in on hardcourts as a kid in Norway, which intended that, opposite to public belief, it wasn’t as though he didn’t experience taking part in at the floor.
“I believe clearly once I grew up in Norway I performed six months of the yr in clay and 6 months of the yr indoor laborious court docket as a result of the elements, so it is not like I do not experience taking part in at the laborious court docket in any respect or that I do not understand how to do it, as a result of I did it fairly so much when I used to be more youthful,” Casper Ruud mentioned.
[5] @CasperRuud98 advances to second #GrandSlam SF of season @usopen with a 6-1 6-4 7-6(4) victory over [13] Berrettini. #Ruud transformed 5 of 14 wreck pts and stored 7 of 9 BPs.
Ruud is 12-2 in #GrandSlam occasions this season (14-13 in Slams from 2018-2021).
[5] @CasperRuud98 advances to second #GrandSlam SF of season @usopen with a 6-1 6-4 7-6(4) victory over [13] Berrettini. #Ruud transformed 5 of 14 wreck pts and stored 7 of 9 BPs.Ruud is 12-2 in #GrandSlam occasions this season (14-13 in Slams from 2018-2021).
Simply because he feels somewhat extra relaxed on clay, the Global No. 7 does not assume folks will have to be shocked when he will get just right effects on hardcourts, a sentiment that may optimistically cross away after his fresh exploits on it.
“And simply the truth that perhaps I prioritized or really feel somewhat bit extra relaxed on clay myself presently of my profession or throughout my profession doesn’t suggest I do not love to play on laborious court docket or that I can’t have just right effects right here,” Casper Ruud mentioned.
Coming quickly!
