Casper Ruud – Novak Djokovic 6–4, 1–6, 6–4
The world number one has stood in the way of the Norwegian in the pursuit of Grand Slam and playoff triumph in the past, but finally it was Ruud’s turn to stretch his arms highest.
– It was a bit of a special match. We may have seen Djokovic play better before, but I felt it was a good chance to take a scalp today, says Ruud to TV 2.
In the stands, you could see father coach Christian Ruud, mother Lele and girlfriend Maria Galligani celebrating the victory – gaping at the achievement. He himself took it in stride, thanked Djokovic for the match and took a sip on the bench. Finally it sat.
– I don’t have all the answers now, but I’m very happy now. Beating number one I’ve never done, beating Novak I’ve never done. I’m a bit in shock now, says Ruud to the organiser.
FRUSTRATED: Novak Djokovic was unable to play against his best.
Photo: VALERY HACHE / AFP
Djokovic believes Ruud deserved the victory
Now he is ready for his first Masters final on clay, just a month before the French Open begins in Paris. When the match was over, Djokovic congratulated the Norwegian.
– He played very well, especially at the beginning of the first and third sets. I had opportunities, but the last game didn’t go so well. Unpressured mistakes and his good game … He was solid until the last stroke and deserved to win, says Djokovic during the press conference after the match.
It seemed for a period that he could catch up to the Norwegian’s lead.
“Please don’t give this away”
On the gravel in Monte-Carlo, the Norwegian was in the impossible corner in the first set, but in the second it turned up with errors and misses.
– Casper goes out in a very good drive, and then, as always, Djokovic… He finds something and makes some changes. Then the second set will be somewhere Casper will be running a lot. Then he has to change something again, says Øivind Sørvald, who carries out the analyzes in Team Ruud.
The frustration shone through the TV images at one point.
– Every damn time, Ruud shouted at the coaching bench after one of Djokovic’s perfect hits.
He explains that there were too many mistakes and too much sloppiness after the match.
SIG OF RELIEF: Ruud could state that on his sixth attempt against Djokovic, he finally emerged victorious from the match.
Photo: Denis Balibouse / Reuters
The Norwegian got himself together in a masterly manner. The third time he was back in top form. At one point he led 3–0, but then the veteran responded in kind by equalizing at 4–4.
– I led in the third set and then he came back. It’s kind of typical of how good these guys are under pressure. You think, “Please don’t give this away.”
But after that, the Norwegian never looked back. He got three match points at 5–4, and on the last of them he sent the Serb out of the tournament.
– Halfway through the third set, things were teetering, but it was fantastic what he was able to bring out of energy and forehand. Absolutely enormous to see, says Sørvald.
First big scalp
It is the first time in nine attempts that the Norwegian has beaten one of tennis’ three great players: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Ruud against the big three
Expand/minimize fact box
2024:
- mot Djokovic, semi-final, Monte-Carlo (ATP 1000)
2023:
- 6–7, 3–6, 5–7 mot Djokovic, finale, French Open
2022:
- 4–6, 3–6 mot Djokovic, semi-finale, Rome (ATP 1000)
- 3–6, 3–6, 0–6 over Nadal, finale, French Open
- 5–7, 5–7 vs. Nadal, group stage, ATP playoffs
- 5–7, 3–6 against Djokovic, final, ATP playoffs
2021:
- 6–7, 2–6 vs. Djokovic, group stage, ATP playoffs
2020:
- 5–7, 3–6 mot Djokovic, semi-finale, Rome (ATP 1000)
2019:
- 3–6, 1–6, 6–7 vs. Federer, third round, French Open
For Ruud took his biggest scalp – and he ended a horror streak that showed 19-0 in sets to the giants after eight games. He has neither won against them nor anyone ranked in the top three in the world when he faced them.
HAD TO RUB HIS EYES: Casper Ruud sent Djokovic astray.
Photo: Daniel Cole / AP
On Sunday, he can break another barrier. If he beats Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, he will win his biggest tournament to date in his career.
– I’m not quite sure, this is a popcorn match, but when I have to choose, I go for Ruud, says former world number one Andy Roddick on the Tennis Channel.
He was challenged on who will emerge victorious from the final.
– Tomorrow will be a special day. I have been chasing a major title for three years now and tomorrow I will give it my all. Stef is a good player on all surfaces, but he has perhaps been the best on clay, says Ruud.
STRONG OPPOSITION: Stefanos Tsitsipas has won two Masters tournaments, both in Monte Carlo. Like Casper Ruud, he is chasing his first Grand Slam triumph in 2024.
Photo: VALERY HACHE / AFP
Tsitsipas has two victories in the tournament in Monte-Carlo.
– I have to come out in 100 and play well, says Ruud, who has beaten the Greek in two of their three meetings.
Must embellish statistics
The Norwegian tennis star has played a number of major finals in the past, but has yet to win a tournament above the 250 level.
- Ruud has played three Grand Slam finals without winning. He has lost to Nadal and Djokovic in the French Open and Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open.
- He made it to the final of the 2022 ATP Playoffs, but lost to Djokovic.
- In the same year, he lost the Masters final in Miami against Alcaraz.
All of Ruud’s ten ATP titles have so far come in the 250 series, which is the lowest ATP level after 500 and 1000. The numbers refer to how many points a victory gives. The four Grand Slam tournaments award 2,000 points each for a win.
Ruud was number ten in the world ranking before the tournament along the Riviera. He climbs to 6th or 7th place on Monday, depending on the outcome in the final.
Correction: NRK first wrote that Novak Djokovic thought he himself deserved to win the match, based on an incorrect translation. The correct thing is that he thought Ruud deserved the victory after a solid game.
Published 13.04.2024, at 19.02 Updated 13.04.2024, at 21.41