Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal have a secret: Casper Ruud reveals it

Two absolute champions, in the presence of whom it is really complex to succeed.

Casper Ruud framed Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal, his opponents during a 2022 of great growth for the Norwegian, who in the finals, however, crashed in the presence of the two tennis champions. Indeed, the Serb defeated him in Turin in the last act of the ATP Finals, while the Mallorcan prevailed in the Roland Garros final.

“I think both of them, both Djokovic and Nadal, are obviously exceptional. They have an innate ability to always accelerate at the right time, which I still lack. Definitely that’s something I need to improve in,” Ruud explained, as reported by ‘TennisMajors. “When we then get close to the decisive points for sets or matches, they always win them. And it just so happens that when I’m up against them, I lose them instead.”

“I’ve faced Djokovic several times now,” Ruud added, “and not every set has been hard-fought, but certainly some 7-5 or 7-6 sets have been there. But just that shows that I lack that final step to reach their level. They have immense capabilities, and it has been so long. That’s why I want to grow more, and reach that standard of self-confidence. I hope that over the next year I will be able to do that.”