“I think I need to get up a bit” – Ruud

2023 has been a bit of a mixed bag for Casper Ruud, as the fourth-ranked Norwegian has produced an 11-8 record, but only managed to win back-to-back matches at one event, Estoril, where he went 5-0 to claim his tenth ATP title.

Ruud isn’t exactly worried about his form or completely out of sorts with his game, but the 24-year-old is aware that he needs to make some changes to find his best tennis on clay, where he will soon defend semi-final points in Rome and final points in Geneva and Roland-Garros.

In short: here on European clay, it’s Ruud’s time to shine. He says he needs to increase the speed with the palm of his hand to make it happen.

Ruud – I want to be a little more unpredictable

The Oslo native admits he hasn’t played with the clarity or execution he possessed last year, which has led to more opportunities for his opponents to attack him.

What can he do to change that? More aggression…

If you look at the best players in the world, they play aggressively, take control of the points and take responsibility, and lately I think I’ve been hoping a little too much for the opponent’s mistakes.

– Casper Ruud

“I think I play more aggressively, especially with the palm, that’s what I trust and my strength in my game,” said Ruud. “I think I haven’t been able to play aggressive enough or hit too many winners from that side lately.

“I think I need to step up a little bit and take more risks, maybe throw in a drop shot here and there and keep my opponent on their toes, kind of wondering, What’s Caspers going to do now? I want to be maybe a little more unpredictable on that side, and I think I’ll try to work on that this week.

Ruud says that hours of conversation with his team has helped him better understand the nuances of the game in its current form and the small difference between success and struggle.

We talk all the time together with my team, how I feel on the field or what I didn’t go well or what went or didn’t go so well and so on, Ruud said. Sometimes I play a little too defensively and sometimes a little too short, so I think my players have a little too much [much] time to step in and play aggressively against me and that’s something I need to change.

“If you look at the best players in the world, they play aggressively, they take possession of points and take charge, and lately I think I’ve been hoping a little too much for the opponent’s mistakes.”

Don’t expect Ruud to play recklessly when he takes the field in Madrid this week (a second-round matchup against either Benoit Paire or Matteo Arnaldi).

“Everybody has their own style of play,” he said. “I just hate making mistakes by being superior or by chasing too big winners. So that’s kind of something I have to change maybe a little bit mentally to play a little more aggressively, take more risks and make shots that I don’t usually make.

At the same time, I would like to think that the style of play, which I have already taken quite far, does not need to change too much, other than to try to play a little more dedicated in the rally and play a little. more depth so my opponents can’t attack me as much.”

Nothing to worry about

Although it’s been a slow start by his own lofty standards, Ruud’s performance has had highlights in 2023. He captured the championship in Estoril and is 6-2 on clay so far this spring.

He’s not as far off the pace as his overall record might lead you to believe. It’s just about winning a few big matches and building the confidence that has taken him to two major finals and a career-high No. 2 in the world in 2022.

I think I’m a little bit closer than it seems sometimes that I can win these matches and I think what I’ve experienced this year… and the last few years on the tour is that a lot of matches on the tour are decided by four or five six points here or there, which can completely changes the match,” he said. “In a lot of cases this year, those points feel like I’ve been riding against me, so it’s up to me to try to turn it around and find a way to win those important points.”