Casper Ruud makes Rafael Nadal on clay v Novak Djokovic on hard court comparison at Indian Wells
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ByEurosport
Published 10/03/2023 at 08:12 GMT
Casper Ruud has a combined record of 0-6 against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in his career. The 24-year-old, who reached the finals of the French Open and the US Open last year, says playing Rafael Nadal on clay courts is like playing in his "backyard". In a similar vein, he thinks Djokovic can "break you or play some unreal rally" on hard courts. Ruud was speaking ahead of Indian Wells.
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Casper Ruud compares what it is like facing Rafael Nadal on clay to playing Novak Djokovic on hard courts.
The Norwegian has played Nadal just once on the red dirt and that was in the French Open final in 2022, which the Spaniard won 6-3 6-3 6-0.
Ruud says playing Nadal on clay feels as if he is playing the 36-year-old "in his backyard" and that he felt "clueless" when trying to find a tactic to overcome the 22-time Grand Slam champion back in June.
"Rafa on clay has been the one that really, I felt clueless what to do and chanceless as well," Ruud told a pre-tournament press conference at Indian Wells.
"It was really a one-way show, we played at Roland-Garros last year, and particularly best-of-five sets is really difficult."
Ruud has lost all four of his meetings against Djokovic on the ATP Tour.
The world No. 4 has failed to win even a set against the world No. 1. Two of those losses have come on hard courts at two successive Nitto ATP Tour Finals, including last November in the final in Turin.
Nevertheless, Ruud further emphasised how tricky it is to play Nadal on clay.
"Not taking anything away from Novak because whenever it is important on a hard court, he steps up," Ruud continued. "He'll break you or play some unreal rally.
"But just the general feeling every point being thrown at you with an incredible amount of top spin and how Rafa just locks you in one corner...
"You feel like you're on his home ground and in his backyard. For me, they are some of the most difficult opponents I've ever played."
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Ruud begins his Indian Wells campaign against Diego Schwartzman on Saturday. He says he can understand why the Masters tournament in California is often referred to as the fifth Grand Slam of tennis.
"It is a little bit different because the stadium is so big," he said, referring to the 16,000-seater Stadium 1 show court.
"It sort of seems like you're playing a Grand Slam when you're out on the centre court.
"The facilities are incredible and the fans also make it really special. I understand why it is referred to as the fifth major."
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