Google News Casper Ruud identifies what makes Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic tough to beat
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 8876
Casper Ruud acknowledged that playing Rafael Nadal at the French Open and Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals are definitely one of the toughest challenges a player can face on the ATP Tour. In late May and early June, Ruud made his first Grand Slam final at the French Open - in which Nadal handed him a 6-3 6-3 6-0 loss.
This past week, Ruud reached his first final at the Atp Finals in Turin. In the Turin final, Ruud was beaten by Djokovic, who claimed a 7-5 6-3 victory to win his sixth ATP Finals title. Losing to Nadal and Djokovic on those two finals wasn't easy for Ruud but at least it gives the Norwegian the extra motivation to return stronger in 2023.
Ruud: Nadal, Djokovic have the ability to step up, I don't have that yet
"I've had many experiences this year in losing these finals. It's just going to try to motivate me to win them if I ever get to them again. If you look at the opponents I've played, it's been tough.
You have to say that Rafa in Roland Garros and Novak here, it's probably some of the toughest challenges that we have. I don't feel very bad that I wasn't able to beat them. It gives me motivation and a hunger to maybe next time, like I said, if I ever get to another final like this, I hope I can learn from what I have done this year and not been able to do and see how it goes," Ruud said, as quoted on Sportskeeda.
Also, Ruud explained how Nadal and Djokovic simply know how to win when it matters the most. "I think those two players, Novak and Rafa, are exceptional, of course. They have this sort of ability in them to step up when they really have to that I don't have.
That's something I can try to improve for sure. They always seem to win the close points, the close sets. I have been on the losing side when I played players like them," Ruud explained.