Casper Ruud reported back to the Masters in Madrid with the biggest title of his career in the Tennis worldhead. In the final, the Norwegian Jack Draper defeated 7: 5, 3: 6, 6: 4 in three sets, after he had previously revealed that he had to struggle with mental problems.
In May 2024, Ruud had previously celebrated the last of his previous twelve title winnings and rarely appeared in the late rounds of the following tournaments. In Madrid, the 26-year-old then gave the explanation for this supposed phase of weakness. “It is a hard life and there was a point where I felt like it was getting too much. I was looking for help and that worked”revealed Ruud.
Casper Ruud: “I felt that I need help”
The two-time French Open finalist also emphasized that he had “Again more fun” On the tennis. “I wake up every day with a smile. I was honest with myself and felt that I needed help”said Ruud. And how well he did to him showed the two weeks in Madrid. Even before the final against Draper, Ruud had not given a sentence, on Sunday he made the first title with a Masters 1000 and thus his greatest triumph perfect.
For some time, a lot looked like Draper was going to beat the clay court specialist. The Briton had also lost no sentence in the course of the tournament, and he broke Ruud early to 2-1. Draper himself states to favor hard spaces and Wimbledon – as it must be as a Brit – to classify as a favorite tournament, but he was on the point of discovering his love for ash.
Draper “can no longer” – and shows that he can do it
But at 5: 4, the 23-year-old lost the thread, he lost his impact game with the first break chance that he made possible for his opponent. And Ruud stayed on, kept his service confidently and followed up with the second break and the set win. The door to the 13th title win was open after he had already perfectly returned to the top 10 with his final.
Draper looked flat, said his box: “I’m Completely Dead” – Spelled translated: “I can not anymore.” But he caught again, a second set developed at eye level. Draper brought back to confidence with magic strokes and actually breaks his opponent with a crashing forehand to 4: 3. Ruud countered and earned two break balls, but the British left -handed man held his service in an impressive way. Draper then took the serve after his counterpart and closed the set 6: 3.
Ruud keeps the upper hand against the Draper record
With the beginning of the third set, however, it became clear who had the larger reserves. Draper always breathed heavily after the rallies, she tried to keep as short as possible with crashing blows. Ruud looked fresh and had four break chances at 1: 1, which his opponent was able to fend off with the last strength. However, the Norwegian also had to fight and then had to destroy two chances of Draper himself.
The Brit then had to let springs springs and then gave up his surcharge to 2: 3. Ruud thus secured the decisive advantage. After 2:29 hours, he converted the first match ball to 6: 4 in the decisive sentence. So Ruud draper and the evil spirits defeated – and celebrated the biggest title of his career so far. “It took a long time up to such a title. Now it feels great, of course. Hopefully it will continue now”said Ruud.