Casper Ruud recounts playing Roger Federer at Court Suzanne Lenglen

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Casper Ruud recalled playing against Roger Federer after beating Elias Ymer at Court Suzanne Lenglen. In 2019, a rising star Ruud clashed against Federer in the French Open third round at Court Suzanne Lenglen. Federer, a former 20-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Ruud 6-3 6-1 7-6 (8).

On Tuesday, Ruud returned to Court Suzanne Lenglen and easily handled the business against Ymer. "It’s great playing here on this historic court. First time I played here was against Roger some years ago and I got my ass kicked, and I think we all miss Roger on tour.

I mean, it’s been sad and we all hope that he’s enjoying wherever he is," Ruud said in his on-court interview, via Yasmin Syed of Express-Sport.

Ruud on playing on Lenglen: "It’s great playing here on this historic court.

First time I played here was against Roger some years ago and I got my ass kicked, and I think we all miss Roger on tour. I mean, it’s been sad and we all hope that he’s enjoying wherever he is." — Yasmin Syed (@yasminstefsyed) May 30, 2023

Federer praised Ruud at the time

When Federer and Ruud met in 2019, the Norwegian was a rising star who was hoping to make a name for himself in the game.

Federer, who entered the match as the big favorite, easily won the first two sets but he was pushed into a third-set tie-break before completing a three-set win against the Norwegian. After the match was over, Federer praised Ruud's "great attitude" and also said the Norwegian "was going to be good in the future." “I liked how he figured things out after going on a tough run there of nine games.

The third set could have gone either way. He had chances early, then later, and then again after. It was nice to see him hang in there. I thought the first set also was tough. I can see why he's going to be good in the future. He's got a great attitude, very calm, very quiet," Federer said of Ruud at the time.

Meanwhile, Ruud is hoping for another deep French Open run. Last year, Ruud made his first Grand Slam final at the French Open before losing to Rafael Nadal.