Casper Ruud has now misplaced the three Grand Slam finals he has performed, however the Norwegian believes he has earned one thing on the French Open this yr – the respect of his friends.
Ruud misplaced 7-6(1) 6-3 7-5 in opposition to Novak Djokovic in his second straight ultimate at Roland Garros on Sunday because the Serbian claimed a record-breaking twenty third males’s Grand Slam title.
Final yr, he was demolished by his mentor Rafael Nadal on the French Open, earlier than falling in 4 units in opposition to Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz on the U.S. Open ultimate in September.
Nice struggle, Casper Ruud
This is the shot of the day by @oppo 🫡#InspirationAhead #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ttTm3Lnga9
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023
“Clearly anybody you play in a Grand Slam ultimate goes to be participant. However the three gamers I’ve performed is simply Rafa going for, on the time, the file for 22, after which Carlos who was simply on hearth in New York, after which right here, Novak, going for 23. I performed very robust gamers, as you say,” the 24-year-old Ruud stated.
“There have been different gamers within the ultimate, additionally within the final years, who’ve possibly been extra playable or beatable.”
Ruud, who has reached the ultimate in three of the final 5 majors, is assured the wheel of fortune can flip as he accumulates expertise on the highest degree.
“I can’t simply sit and make excuses, however let’s see what the longer term holds. I feel that is possibly a very powerful ultimate that I reached, truthfully, as a result of … right here I type of proved that no matter occurred final yr is simply not like a one-time case,” he defined.
A fortnight to recollect for @CasperRuud98 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5qWmk7QY0k
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023
“Even for subsequent yr after we come again to Roland Garros, persons are going to look, ‘Oh, Casper didn’t simply make one ultimate however he made it twice’.
“Most likely going to plant some respect in my opponents’ eyes and hopefully I can construct on that.”
‘CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR’
Ruud undoubtedly earned Djokovic’s respect when he made a quick begin on Sunday, opening a 3-0 lead with an early break, earlier than the Serbian turned the screw and took his opponent right into a tiebreak.
In the entire event, Djokovic has not made a single unforced error in seven tiebreaks, and he got here into the competition having received the final 100 Grand Slam matches by which he took the primary set.
“There’s no dangerous phrases allowed right here so I don’t know what to say. However you’re considering, , the F phrase since you simply misplaced a extremely robust set in opposition to Novak,” stated Ruud.
“He’s going to construct on it and it’s robust to bounce again from that.”
Again to again finalist, @CasperRuud98 🇳🇴👏#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ld3fKO63RL
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023
It was certainly robust for Ruud, who rapidly misplaced contact within the second set.
“I let him get away within the second set too simply. That’s one thing I need to construct on or be higher at if I need to have an opportunity in opposition to these guys,” he stated.
Ruud, nonetheless, can look forward with some confidence as his consistency is probably going to offer him one other shot at a Grand Slam title.
“I’m gonna attempt to clearly intention for a slam title. That’s my largest aim, my largest dream in my profession and in my life,” he stated.
“It’s been shut, however no cigar, so I’m going to maintain working and attempt to get it at some point.”