In his most up-to-date look at Roland Garros, the Norwegian succumbed to Novak Djokovic in a 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5 defeat. Djokovic secured his 23rd males’s Grand Slam title.
Beforehand, Ruud confronted a crushing defeat from his mentor Rafael Nadal on the French Open final 12 months, adopted by a four-set loss to the promising Spanish expertise Carlos Alcaraz in the united statesOpen remaining in September.”Clearly anybody you play in a Grand Slam remaining goes to be a great participant. However the three gamers I’ve performed is simply Rafa going for, on the time, the report for 22, after which Carlos who was simply on fireplace in New York, after which right here, Novak, going for 23. I performed very robust gamers, as you say,” the 24-year-old Ruud mentioned.
“There have been different gamers within the remaining, 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 am unable to simply sit and make excuses, however let’s examine what the longer term holds. I feel that is possibly a very powerful remaining that I reached, actually, as a result of … right here I form of proved that no matter occurred final 12 months is simply not like a one-time case,” he defined.
“Even for subsequent 12 months once we come again to Roland Garros, persons are going to look, ‘Oh, Casper did not simply make one remaining 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 positively earned Djokovic’s respect when he made a quick begin on Sunday, opening a 3-Zero lead with an early break, earlier than the Serbian turned the screw and took his opponent right into a tiebreak.
In the entire match, Djokovic has not made a single unforced error in seven tiebreaks, and he got here into the competition having gained the final 100 Grand Slam matches wherein he took the primary set.
“There is not any unhealthy phrases allowed right here so I do not know what to say. However you are considering, you recognize, the F phrase since you simply misplaced a extremely robust set in opposition to Novak,” mentioned Ruud.
“He’ll construct on it and it is robust to bounce again from that.”
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 is one thing I need to construct on or be higher at if I need to have an opportunity in opposition to these guys,” he mentioned.
Ruud, nonetheless, can look forward with some confidence as his consistency is probably going to present him one other shot at a Grand Slam title.
“I am gonna attempt to clearly intention for a slam title. That is my largest objective, my largest dream in my profession and in my life,” he mentioned.
“It has been shut, however no cigar, so I will hold working and attempt to get it at some point.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
