World No. 7 Casper Ruud shared his thoughts on the importance of the clay season for his tennis career.
In a post-match interview following his victory over Roberto Bautista Agut at the Monte Carlo Masters, Ruud was asked about the pressure he might feel on clay, given his strong track record on this surface.
Ruud admitted there`s some truth to that pressure, but he explained that he avoids getting too caught up in weekly ranking fluctuations, as it can become overwhelming. He acknowledged his significant achievements in reaching high rankings, having been as high as No. 2 and consistently in the top 5. Like any ambitious tennis player, he dreams of reaching the coveted No. 1 spot.
However, Ruud emphasized that he prioritizes the year-end “Race to Turin” ranking and hopes to improve his standing during the clay court swing. While clay is his preferred surface, he remains confident in his hard-court abilities. Should the clay season not go as planned, he will focus on achieving success during the hard-court tournaments later in the year. He underscored the significance of the upcoming clay events for his season.
Rupert Hartwell