Casper Ruud signs up to play ATP 250 clay event leading up to 2023 French Open



by   |  VIEW 2012

Casper Ruud signs up to play ATP 250 clay event leading up to 2023 French Open

Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud has signed up to play in Estoril next year. Ruud, 23, will be making his debut on the clay courts of Estoril in 2022.

Ruud, ranked at No 4 in the world, has become one of the best clay-court players in the world and he will certainly be among the top favorites for the Estoril title.

Ruud is a nine-time ATP champion as eight of his nine titles have come on clay. The Estoril Open is regularly taking place in late April and early May. Ruud, who made his first Grand Slam final at this year's French Open, will be preparing for the 2023 French Open in Estoril.

Ruud making some noise in Turin

Meanwhile, Ruud's 2022 season is still not finished. This week, Ruud is competing at the ATP Finals in Turin. In Turin, Ruud is off to a strong start as on Tuesday he defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3 4-6 7-6 (6) to improve to 2-0 in his group.

Ruud had a 5-1 lead in the third set tie-break and two consecutive match points at 6-4 but Fritz refused to quit and tied the tie-break to six points apiece. However, not realizing two match points didn't impact Ruud, who responded by winning the next two points to complete a tight three-set win over Fritz.

“Only a couple of points decide a match like this. Fortunately for me, they went my way at the end. I was 5/1 up in the tie-break and he turned it around. He played some great points and hit some incredible winners to come back to 6/6.

I hesitated a little bit at 6/4, but that is normal. There was a lot at stake. I am sad for Taylor, but I was so happy to see that last forehand sail long. To book my place in the semi-finals felt great," Ruud said after beating Fritz.

Ruud has now been through to the semifinal and it remains to be seen if he can cap off his year with a maiden Atp Finals title.

Casper Ruud French Open