Casper Ruud secured his spot in the Madrid Open final with a hard-fought victory over Francisco Cerundolo, but not without a scare. The Norwegian tennis star admitted he would need to have an injury “checked” before the final match, raising concerns about his condition.
Injury Concerns Emerge During Warm-up
Ruud revealed that he felt a sharp pain in his chest during the warm-up before his semi-final clash with Cerundolo. The pain, which extended to his back, prompted him to call for a medical timeout early in the match. He received treatment and took painkillers to manage the discomfort and continue playing.
“I felt something in my rib during warm-up, just towards the end, before going out and I felt it on almost every shot, especially the serve,” Ruud explained. “And luckily I got some quick treatment on it. Of course I’ll go and check it out more now. I took a couple of painkillers, which is not ideal but in a situation like this, you have to do that every now and then.”
Despite the injury, Ruud managed to save 15 of 18 break points and overcome a pro-Argentinian crowd to win the match 6-4, 7-5.
Ruud’s Resilience and Determination
Despite the early setback and discomfort, Ruud displayed remarkable resilience and determination throughout the semi-final. He acknowledged the challenges that players face, stating:
“There’s a lot of things to deal with as a player. It’s a lot of fun, of course, travelling the world and living this life is like a dream, don’t get me wrong. But of course you have struggles all along, almost every single week you’re dealing with some kind of minor pain or fatigue or stress somehow.”
Ruud’s ability to push through the pain and secure the victory is a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering commitment to the sport.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Ruud is set to face either Jack Draper or Lorenzo Musetti in the Madrid Open final. This will be Ruud’s third Masters 1000 final and his first since Monte Carlo last year. A win in Madrid would mark the biggest title of his career.
However, the injury concern remains a significant question mark. Ruud emphasized the need to have the injury “checked out more now,” indicating that the extent of the problem is yet to be determined. The results of the medical evaluation will likely play a crucial role in determining his readiness for the final.
Overcoming Adversity
Ruud’s journey to the Madrid Open final has been filled with adversity. In addition to the recent injury scare, he also had to overcome a previous defeat against Cerundolo at the Miami Open.
“In all honesty, I went into today’s match believing I was the underdog because he really outplayed me in Miami not long ago. I felt powerless against him,” Ruud confessed.
Despite feeling like the underdog, Ruud approached the semi-final clash with a burning desire to redeem himself and emerge victorious. This determination, combined with his resilience in the face of injury, has propelled him to the cusp of a significant achievement.
A Chance for a Breakthrough
The Madrid Open presents a golden opportunity for Casper Ruud to finally win big on tour. Despite reaching multiple Grand Slam finals and ATP Masters 1000 finals in the past, he is yet to secure a title at this level. With several top players either absent or eliminated early in the competition, the men’s singles draw in Madrid has opened up, providing a favorable chance for Ruud to seize the spotlight.
Whether he will be fit enough to take advantage of this opportunity remains to be seen. The tennis world will be watching closely as Ruud seeks medical evaluation and prepares for what could be a defining moment in his career.
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