City
Epaper

Nadal will eat you alive: Casper Ruud on being forced to play defensively in French Open final

By ANI | Updated: June 6, 2022 11:00 IST

Norway's Casper Ruud said he had no answers when Rafael Nadal stepped up his game midway through the second ...

Open in App

Norway's Casper Ruud said he had no answers when Rafael Nadal stepped up his game midway through the second set en route to a straight-set win on Sunday in the French Open final on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Ruud, in his first Grand Slam final, was 3-1 up in the second set but lost the following 11 games in a row, making just 17 points in the process, with Nadal prevailing 6-3 6-3 6-0 to take his Grand Slam crowns tally to a record-extending 22.

"Well, I wish I knew the answers too, but I got a cheap break of serve I think in the second set and was up 3-1, and of course wanted to get the match going and maybe try to win the set," Ruud said in a post-match press conference.

"But then he stepped up and he showed that when he needs to he plays great. It was tough for me to really know where I should play the ball. When you are playing defensive against Rafa on clay, he will eat you alive," Ruud added.

The 23-year-old, who on Sunday became the first Norwegian man to reach a Grand Slam final, is no stranger to his opponent's game, having trained with him in Nadal's academy in Mallorca.

Ruud admitted that taking on Nadal on clay court where the Spaniard has now won 14 from 14 finals was the hardest challenge he has faced in tennis.

"I said before the match that I guess it is," he said. "But now I think I know it is. At least what I have faced. It's really challenging and really tough. But I already knew it in a way," said Ruud.

Ruud did show some moments of excellence, but Rafael as usual proved to be just too great. At the age of 36 years, Nadal became the oldest player to win the French Open title. It was also his 22nd Grand Slam and 14th French Open title.

( With inputs from ANI )

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Tags: Rafael NadalRafa nadalEl nino
Open in App

Related Stories

TennisRafael Nadal Announces Retirement from Professional Tennis

Other SportsParis Olympics 2024: Novak Djokovic Triumphs Over Rafael Nadal in Straight Sets

NationalMonsoon Update 2024: Monsoon to Arrive in Kerala One Day Before, More than Average Rain in These Parts of Country

MaharashtraMaharashtra Monsoon 2024 Update: Southwest Monsoon Hits Nicobar Islands, IMD Reveals Rain Arrival Dates in State

NationalWhat Are El Nino and La Nina? All You Need To Know About

Tennis Realted Stories

TennisRafael Nadal to be honoured with ceremony at this year's French Open

Tennis"MSLTA has been a flag bearer of Indian Tennis": Sunder Iyer on hosting three major international tournaments in Maharashtra

TennisCarlos Alcaraz defeats Lorenzo Musetti; clinches maiden Monte Carlo Masters title

TennisShrivalli, Ankita and Prarthana create history to help India qualify for the playoffs of the Billie Jean King Cup 2025

TennisVaidehi Chaudhary opens up about support from seniors in India's run at Billie Jean King Cup