Casper Ruud has struggled to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz like most of the ATP Tour.
Ruud has achieved a feat that Sinner and Alcaraz haven’t at the Italian Open this year, despite winning only one of his 11 previous matches against them.
The Norwegian could improve this record in Rome, where Ruud could play Sinner after reaching the Italian Open final.
After comprehensively beating Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-1 to reach the final in the Italian capital, Ruud has responded when asked if he finds other players surpassing him a difficult thing to accept.
Casper Ruud admits he gets ‘a bit’ frustrated by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Ruud dropped to his lowest ranking in five years after failing to defend his Madrid Open title, but has bounced straight back in Rome.
In his post-match press conference after the match, Ruud was asked whether he found it difficult to accept other players surpassing him.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist responded by speaking about Sinner and Alcaraz, admitting he can find it a little frustrating, but he tries not to compare himself to other players.
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“Yeah, sometimes,” answered Ruud. “Sometimes you have to look at yourself in the mirror and realize it wasn’t maybe meant to be in some matches that you lose or seeing how there was sort of some openings for someone to kind of take over the throne after the big three when they seemed towards the end of their domination. Obviously Novak [Djokovic] is still around, still has a chance in my eyes to win the biggest titles when he’s on.
“I was one of the players that kind of entered my name into the discussion for a few years. I was not able to follow up. I was over- and outplayed by others. Then you have Jannik and Carlos who have become sort of the unicorns that they have become.
“At times I can be at home and wish that it was me and not them. At the same time I’m realistic in thinking that they have something special in them. They also work very, very hard. It’s not just because they’re talented or this or that that they’re so good, they also work very hard.
“Their curve has been far better than mine in the last years. Has it been frustrating? A bit. But you cannot think too much about the other players. You have to stay in your own lane in this sport, try to focus on yourself as much as you can.
“It’s an individual sport after all. Comparing yourself to other players I think is the biggest mistake you can do. You have to trust yourself, your gut, and trust the things you’re doing are right. Yeah, I realize I will not probably break any huge records in this sport, but I can do as well as I can along my journey and along my career.”
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Ruud was then asked a question about his own game, and if he thinks he has made any improvements since the Madrid Open.
While he explained that there is only so much he can change in the short time since the Madrid Open, Ruud was happy with how he was executing his forehand and return in Rome.
“Not sure. I mean, it’s only been two weeks since last tournament in Madrid. Only so much you can improve in just a matter of few days,” said Ruud.
“My forehand seemed to be causing problems for the opponent. I think I’m playing pretty solid from my backhand side. In Madrid when I lost to Blockx, I was a little bit all over the place with the forehand and was not creating any problems from my backhand corner.
“Here in Rome I’ve been returning really well and setting up the points really well after that. I’m happy with how I’m feeling on court.
“It’s sort of easier to hit more full swings when you’re in Rome than in Madrid because the ball doesn’t fly as much. You feel like it goes down and in. It’s a good feeling obviously. I think return and baseline game is even better than what it was in Madrid, yeah.”
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Ruud will now hope to win his second Masters 1000 title at the Italian Open, with the final taking place on Sunday, May 17.
The 27-year-old does not yet know his opponent, as the semifinal between Sinner and Daniil Medvedev was interrupted due to rain.
