World No. 6 Casper Ruud performs impressively on clay. However, like his previous French Open campaigns, he missed clinching a title at the Monte-Carlo Masters despite reaching the final.
After overcoming World No.1 Novak Djokovic in three sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the semifinals, Ruud faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in the summit clash but couldn’t give a tough competition to the Greek at all. The Norwegian won just five games, eventually losing in straight sets with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-4.
Casper Ruud (Image via Imago)
After his win, in a press conference, a journalist told him how he was very close to becoming World No. 1. The journalist also asked him what was missing in him that he could not win a final despite reaching the summit clashes of several major tournaments.
I have achieved, sometimes when I think about it, more things than I thought were possible in my career, but by doing that I also want to chase and push for even more. Obviously, a Grand Slam or ATP 1000 is the next, you know, big dream, big goal of mine. Today I was able to play the final of a 1000. always I wasn't able to win, so I will continue to chase and try to improve my game always.Casper Ruud said after the final
Ruud then added that he took small steps which have been helping him. An optimistic Ruud is hoping to continue this positive trend so that he can give his best.
Casper Ruud became the player with the most defeats in finals of major tournaments since 1990
After his defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Monte-Carlo Masters final, Casper Ruud also became the player with the most losses in the final of major tournaments since 1990.
He reached six finals in major tournaments, losing all of them. Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, and Mardy Fish have lost five finals at major tournaments and used to occupy the top spot on this list but Ruud surpassed them to register this unwanted record.
Ruud registered two defeats at Roland Garros and one at the US Open. He was runner-up in two ATP 1000 Masters tournaments (the Miami Open and Monte Carlo). The 25-year-old also couldn’t win a title at the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals.
The World No. 6 has a 231-122 win-loss record with 10 titles. He is set to try his luck on his favorite surface next week at the Barcelona Open.
