Casper Ruud’s 2024 season ended abruptly in the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals, where he was outplayed by Jannik Sinner. Ruud, known for his patient and defensive style, found himself outmatched by Sinner’s aggressive and powerful play.
“I didn’t learn tennis going for a winner on the first or second shot,” Ruud said after his 6-1, 6-2 defeat. “My mentality, how I grew up playing a lot on clay in Spain, it was a different way of playing tennis.”
Ruud acknowledged that his style of play can be vulnerable against hard-hitters like Sinner. “Against someone like Jannik, it’s something missing, definitely felt today and something I will know next time I play him,” he said.
Despite the setback, Ruud remains confident in his game. “In my eyes, it’s too late to change what kind of player I am at this point. I’m 25. The structure of my game is already there,” he said.
Ruud draws inspiration from Rafael Nadal, who has successfully adapted his clay-court game to other surfaces. “I’ve definitely been kind of shaped by watching a lot of Rafa tennis,” Ruud said. “I really loved watching those guys play. I find that way of playing tennis really nice. I like it myself.”
However, Ruud recognizes the challenges of playing on hard courts, where his style is more vulnerable. “The majority of the season is played on hard court, a faster surface. It is a game style that is kind of vulnerable to hard-hitters, fast players,” he said.
Ruud praised Sinner’s performance, noting that he has made significant progress since their last meeting three years ago. “It’s almost a perfect season. Yeah, I hope he calms down for next year,” Ruud said with a smile. “I admire Jannik a lot as a player. As a person, he’s very serious about what he does. Yeah, it’s inspiring. Even though he’s younger than me, I have a lot to learn from him.”
Despite the disappointing end to his season, Ruud is projected to finish at No. 6 in the year-end rankings.
