Casper Ruud: The Great Hope of Norwegian tennis

Casper Ruud and the French Open

In this year’s edition of the French Open, Ruud, who was a Top 4 seed was never truly talked about as a viable contender for the crown. Alcaraz and Djokovic were on a collision course and maybe Tsitsipas could break up the party. Heck, even Medvedev, a notoriously average player at best on clay, was being talked about more.

No matter for the sturdy Norwegian as he worked his way into a Quarterfinal rematch with the feisty Holger Rune. After he dispatched the young Dane with a rock-solid performance, it gave him another milestone. His first Top 10 win at a Grand Slam event.

This was followed up by a comfortable dismissal of the sentimental favorite Alexander Zverev in the Semis. While his run would end in disappointment as Nole took him down in the Final, Ruud showed that his rise was no fluke. 3 of the last 5 Grand Slam Finals have featured Casper Ruud. The Year-end Championships final featured Casper Ruud.

For now, on the court, he is a player defined by his intensity, work rate, and stamina. Off the court, he is a mild-mannered young man that is defined by the Finals he’s reached, as well as the titles he has won. If he wants to insert his name into the top tier of the sport, he will do what he always does. Keep grinding and the results will come.

All of Norway is rooting for him, However, day by day the tennis world is falling for the baseline warrior from Oslo. It’ll be fascinating to see where he ends up.