Casper Ruud says he has nothing to prove heading into this year’s Wimbledon Championships where he will be seeking to win his maiden major trophy.
The Norweigan world No.4 has proven himself to be a formidable force at the Grand Slam tournaments over the past 18 months after reaching the final in three out of the last five he has played. Two of those were at the French Open where he came up short against Rafael Nadal in 2022 and then Novak Djokovic this year. Between those two appearances in Paris, he also had to settle for runner-up at the US Open to current world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Coming so close to the trophy on multiple occasions might be disheartening for some players but in Ruud’s case, it only adds fuel to the fire.
“I don’t think there is too much more I need to prove that I am this good or that good or not good or whatever, because I have reached three finals now,” he said during an interview with Eurosport.
“I think that gives me motivation to try to win one, and of course it stings to lose in the finals, but what would you rather have – losing in three second rounds or three finals? It’s an easy choice for me.”
“I am motivated to try to take that last step and try to win one, that is my biggest goal and dream since I was a young kid.” He added.
Wimbledon has not been a tournament of fond memories for Ruud so far in his career. It is by far his worst Grand Slam in terms of matches won with his sole victory occurring last year where he reached the second round. Overall, he has played just four matches at The All England Club which is a stark contrast to the 25 he has played at the French Open.
The 24-year-old has opted not to play any grasscourt event leading up to Wimbledon as he wanted to take a break ahead of what will be a busy summer swing.
“People probably think I don’t take it very seriously but I do. I do want to do well. It’s just you have to prioritise a bit here and there,” he explains.
“With the scheduling it’s pretty hectic after Wimbledon and it’s a long summer. I have a lot to try to defend during the summer. I have chosen to play the Laver Cup, so it’s going to be a long summer and fall.
“Wimbledon is obviously so big, every time I come there it’s an incredible feeling and it feels royal in a way. It’s historic. Obviously I want to try to perform well. Wimbledon is a big goal to me.
“It’s the Grand Slam that the most people around the world have heard about. It’s a tournament I watched all my childhood on TV, to perform there is a goal.”
Ruud has only ever played two grasscourt events outside of Wimbledon. At the 2021 Mallorca Open he reached the quarter-finals and at Queen’s in 2022 he was knocked out in the first round. It is fair to say that the surface isn’t his strongest.
However, he believes he is heading in the right direction with next year said to potentially be a crucial one in his career.
“I have realised I am doing well but there are still plenty things that I can improve and become better,” Ruud admits. “I wish to always try to develop as a player.”
“These next five or six years can be very important and hopefully very enjoyable, as long as I stay healthy. The next year is going to be exciting for me.”
