Casper Ruud is one of tennis’ most well-liked figures, always coming across as a very affable and approachable individual.
A supremely gifted tennis player too, he is one of many who has seen his career somewhat thwarted by the Big Three, particularly Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
And now with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner having assumed that position at the pinnacle of the sport, the 26-year-old must battle relentlessly all over again to win the very biggest titles.
The French Open represents his best chance, given his penchant for the iconic clay surface which adorns this event.
However, speaking about surfaces, he has one issue which he wishes the tour would fix.
Casper Ruud wishes there were less hard-court matches
Speaking on the UTS Talk Show with Jakub Mensik and Tomas Machac, the Norwegian almost acted as a moderator between the two Czechs as he directed the conversation.
However, when given the chance, he was more than keen to voice his opinion on various matters including one minor issue he holds with the ATP Tour.
Chatting about the distribution of matches across each surface, he noted: ‘The thing is like, Wimbledon is so nice. It’s like ridiculously nice and beautiful, so I really like playing there. It’s fun because it’s so different, for me at least.
‘I have to reset my game completely because I don’t feel like my spin shots are working.’
‘The thing is like, I played a junior two times and the first year it was like 30 degrees every day and sunny. So then it’s more playable because it bounces up than when it’s like foggy, humid. It’s so slippery.
‘But it’s so historic. I like playing on grass. Tennis started on grass and clay so it’s fun to play on them, the most historic surfaces.
‘Now most of the tournaments are on hard which I wish they weren’t but, what can you do?’
Casper Ruud could shine at Roland Garros
Whilst he might claim to enjoy Wimbledon, it is clear where Ruud’s favoured surface remains.
And, having already removed one monkey from his back this year by finally winning a Masters 1000 final, there’s no reason why he can’t go one step further at the upcoming French Open.
After all, he is a two-time finalist at this event, with the clay season almost always marking the most successful period of his year historically.
That is why Ruud is one of three players who could win the French Open outside of Sinner and Alcaraz, the two obvious favourites.
Should he keep his focus and play his best tennis, the title is there for the taking.
