Casper Ruud refused to be negative after losing the final at the ATP Finals as he acknowledged that it was still a very positive season for him. In his first final at the prestigious season-ending tournament, Ruud fell short to Novak Djokovic as the Serb claimed a 7-5 6-3 win.
In 2022, Ruud made his first Grand Slam and Masters finals, as well also broke into the top-5 for the first time in his career. Even though Ruud didn’t win a Grand Slam, Masters, or the ATP Finals title in 2022, he was very close to achieving those goals.
Also, Ruud is finishing the 2022 season ranked at No 3 in the world. “If you gave me an offer to end the year at No. 3, play the finals that I’ve played, at the 1st of January this year, I would probably sign the contract right away.
No doubt about it,” Ruud reflected, per Tennis Majors.
Casper Ruud : “If you gave me an offer to end the year at No. 3, play the finals that I’ve played, at the 1st of January this year, I would probably sign the contract right away.
No doubt about it.” #ATPFinals pic.twitter.com/wiwVS227TK — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 20, 2022
Casper Ruud hopes his best tennis is yet to come
In late March and early April, Ruud made his first Masters final in Miami – in which he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
Two months later, Ruud was beaten by Rafael Nadal in his first Grand Slam final at the French Open. In September, Ruud lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final. “I feel like, of course, I’ve been playing great tennis this year, but I still feel like I haven’t maybe peaked or played hopefully my best tennis of my life so far,” Ruud added.
Casper Ruud : “I feel like, of course, I’ve been playing great tennis this year, but I still feel like I haven’t maybe peaked or played hopefully my best tennis of my life so far.” #ATPFinals — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 20, 2022
Going into the 2023 season, Ruud is hoping to stay healthy and to be able to contend for Grand Slam titles.
“I think one of the bigger goals for me next year is going to try to go almost the whole year without facing too many injuries. This year in the beginning I faced a couple which sort of let me out of play for a little bit.
Australian Open, I was not able to play,” Ruud said.
Casper Ruud : “I think one of the bigger goals for me next year is going to try to go almost the whole year without facing too many injuries. This year in the beginning I faced a couple which sort of let me out of play for a little bit.
Australian Open, I was not able to play.” — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 20, 2022