After re-joining the Rafa Nadal Academy late last year, Casper Ruud is finally receiving the benefits after reaching the semi-finals in Houston.
The 20 year-old Norwegian has been among the Next Gen ATP for a couple of years but has not been as successful as his younger rivals, yet.
Injuries and lack of consistency has lead to him not climbing up the rankings as quickly as many expected. Even after reaching his first ATP semi-final in 2017 in Rio De Janeiro, the youngster wasn’t able to capitalise on his first success.
So that’s when Ruud made the decision, late last year, to go to Mallorca and re-join the Rafa Nadal Academy, to try and regain his fitness and form.
It turns out that this decision was the best one he has made so far as he has only been getting better in 2019. A second ATP semi-final in Sao Paulo and qualifying for his first masters event in Miami has given him a platform to build on.
Now after reaching his third ATP semi-final in Houston he is starting to make new strides and begin his rise to where he feels he belongs.
A 6-1 6-0 thrashing of birthday boy Marcel Granollers saw him in the last four in Texas and the Norweigan can’t wait for the rest of the clay court swing, “It’s a good way to start the official clay season,” Rudd explained to atptour.com. “I’ve been feeling really good this week. It’s a great atmosphere and there are great fans here.”
It seems like working in Mallorca has done him the world of good and he is now back on target to be where he should be in the world rankings.
Next for Ruud will be either Jordan Thompson or Daniel Elahi Galan for a spot in his first ever ATP final. Thompson and Galan will finish their match on Saturday after play was suspended at 1-6 6-4 3-3.
The other semi-final will see Sam Querrey play Christian Garin, with play starting at 1pm local time.
