Not even Casper Ruud himself would deny that grass has been his worst surface for many years.
The Norwegian star, who has been ranked as high as world number two, has failed to advance past the Wimbledon second round in five attempts.
Ruud’s last campaign in South-West London – back in 2024 – ended with disappointment, as he lost to Fabio Fognini in the second round.
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Ruud acknowledged his struggles when adapting to the surface while speaking to Tennishead at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic on Thursday.
The 27-year-old also noted what he would like to achieve at Wimbledon before the end of his playing career.
Casper Ruud would like to qualify for the second week of Wimbledon before the end of his career
When asked for his goal for this year’s Wimbledon, Ruud responded by saying: “I’ve never made it past second round, so we can start with that, I assume [laughs].
“Anything further than that would be a success.
“It’s such a hectic clay court season that I’ve said many times before,” the three-time Grand Slam finalist continued.
“So for me to go straight up after Roland Garros to play the leading up events and then Wimbledon – it feels like it would be a bit damaging for the remainder of the season.
So it’s just a way for me to get a little breathing room, time off to clear my head a bit and refocus on this tournament, of course Wimbledon, and then the rest of the year.
“I know for many like Wimbledon is sort of a last tournament before people choose to take a few weeks off.
“But I choose to do it in between Paris and Wimbledon, and it’s something that I’ve felt comfortable with.
“At one stage in my career, and I realised that well – I don’t feel like I’m running out of time – but as the years go by, I definitely want to try to have a good result here.
“And maybe like a long-term goal or a career life goal would be to reach second week for sure.”
Casper Ruud’s Wimbledon record
- 2019 – First round [lost to John Isner]
- 2021 – First round [lost to Jordan Thompson]
- 2022 – Second round [lost to Ugo Humbert]
- 2023 – Second round [lost to Liam Broady]
- 2024 – Second round [lost to Fabio Fognini]
When asked about the adjustments he has made on grass in the past, Ruud admitted that he finds movement to be the most challenging aspect of the surface.
He said: “The most difficult thing for me when I switch from clay to grass court, is that for two months in a row, with the clay, I’ve been standing five metres behind the baseline playing heavy topspin balls as much as I can – and that’s just not doable on this surface.
“You’re punished and you’ll easily be put away playing like that,” the three-time major finalist explained. “Everything I’ve learned over the course of my career, I kind of have to try to think opposite for these weeks on grass.
“And movement is maybe the one thing that I find the most challenging.
“Ultimately, the ball bounces and you try to hit it in between the lines. But when I want to use the footwork that I like or that I’ve done all my life, I feel uncomfortable and I feel like I will slide or roll over.
“I have to be lighter on the feet, and doing so I don’t feel like I can play the ball and kind of rip the ball with topspin and the intensity that I like. So I mean, it’s just kind of me having to accept that. I have to think a bit differently.
“I’m trying, but now I haven’t played a match on grass in two years. So I don’t have, honestly, the highest of expectations.
“But we’ll see. Maybe sometimes that works out well.”
Ruud began his preparations for Wimbledon at The Hurlingham Club on Thursday afternoon, competing in the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic.
Ben Shelton, the world number five, beat Ruud 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the grass-court exhibition event.
When does Wimbledon start?
The qualifying rounds for the 2026 Wimbledon Championships concluded on Thursday evening.
On Friday, the draws for the Wimbledon men’s and women’s singles events will be published.
The event will then begin on Monday, June 29.
Jannik Sinner is the overwhelming favourite to defend the title he won 12 months ago.
The Italian’s chances of capturing a second consecutive title have been boosted by the absence of seven-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Who is your pick for the Wimbledon Men’s Singles title? 🏆
Predict your champion now!
On the women’s side, the draw is a much more open affair.
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek – four of the tournament favourites – have all demonstrated poor form ahead of the event.
With that being said, could tennis fans witness a new Grand Slam champion in the women’s singles?
It is most definitely a possibility.
