Rud emerges victorious over Draper, clinching his initial Masters 1000 title.
Tennis Star Casper Ruud Triumphs in Madrid: The Long-Awaited Champion Victorious
In a thrilling showdown, Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis sensation, conquered his first Masters 1000 title, defeating Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the final at Madrid. At 26, the 15th-ranked player’s victory marks his 13th career title, with 12 of them on clay.
This victory, happening just three weeks before Roland-Garros, has amplified the excitement for one of the biggest tournaments in the tennis world. "This win is pure euphoria. I've come close but never clinched a major title before," Ruud shared in a post-match press conference.
Ruud, once the world number 2, has been a persistent finalist in the biggest events, pushing through the final at Roland-Garros in 2022 and 2023, against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, respectively, and the finals of the US Open in 2022 and two Masters 1000 events in Miami in 2022 and Monte-Carlo in 2024. However, the charm of a victory had remained elusive for him.
A follower of Nadal’s humility, Ruud's dedication and perseverance off the court are just as noteworthy as his prowess on it. In a rare candid display, Ruud opened up about his mental health struggles this year, emphasizing the importance of mental wellness and seeking professional help when needed.
Facing off against Jack Draper, the sensational left-hander who's been the talk of the season following his win in Indian Wells in March, Ruud arrived at the Madrid final after overcoming understandable lulls in form. Draper, too, wrestled with dips in performance during the match, serving for the set only to succumb to Ruud's resilience, which allowed the Norwegian to clinch the first set.
Persevering through the setback, Draper regrouped and displayed determination in the second set, taking advantage of Ruud’s momentary falter. However, the boost from losing the second set provided the necessary energy for Ruud to storm back in the third set, breaking Draper on his fifth attempt to secure the victory.
"I came back stronger after losing the second set, and that gave me the confidence to win," Ruud shared regarding his comeback. With the win, Ruud is aiming to build on this momentum for upcoming tournaments, including the Rome Masters and Roland-Garros.
Draper, who will enter the top 5 following this tournament, expressed his pride in his performance and both players' resilience: "I’m happy to have been part of such a competitive match. I’ll use this experience as motivation to continue my climb in the rankings."
The Madrid tournament, traditionally a stronghold for top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, saw various early exits this year, leaving the field wide open for unexpected contenders to thrive.
In the Madrid tournament, Casper Ruud, seeking to break his string of final losses in major events, conquered his first Masters 1000 title against Jack Draper, advancing his career title count to 13. This victory came just three weeks before the 2024 Roland-Garros tournament, amplifying the anticipation for the upcoming tournament. Ruud, whose prowess on the tennis court is rivaled by his dedication off it, shared his elation post-match, acknowledging that this win marks his first major title. As he prepares for upcoming tournaments like Rome Masters and Roland-Garros, the charm of a triumphant victory now follows Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis sensation.
