Casper Ruud, who turns 24 in October, is considered to be one of the most consistent players on the circuit, and a future star. This season was no exception. He reached a career-high ranking of second, and was a top-four finisher in two Grand Slams.
However, he hasn’t been able to live up to the hype. While his performances on the tour have been excellent, he has only won two tournaments since the end of the US Open. In the ATP Finals, he lost to Novak Djokovic, and in the Miami Open final he was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz.
In addition to the Australian Open, Ruud will also be playing the Sunshine double in Indian Wells and Miami. He’ll be looking to add another title to his burgeoning trophy collection.
But while he might not have won a Grand Slam yet, he’s definitely in the running for a title in the near future. He’s already reached the US Open final, and is one of the most-talked-about players on the planet. Earlier this week, he had a huge victory, winning the United Cup in Brisbane.
The ATP has announced a number of changes for the coming year. For one, they’re increasing the amount of days the event will be held. They’re also increasing the number of players competing, and will do so in the next three years. So, this means you can expect more big names in the upcoming season.
The most significant change will probably be the addition of a “Big Three” for the first time in decades. Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Novak Djokovic will take turns at the top of the world rankings, and the ATP will have a few more players to choose from, too.
The other big announcement is that the ATP is making it easier for its top players to take time off from the tour. The ATP says it’s looking to expand its ‘time off’ policy, allowing athletes to take a month or two off between tournaments. Hopefully, it will give the younger stars more time to relax and recharge.
Meanwhile, Ruud is also preparing to play the Melbourne Open, and will likely take some time off after the event to recover and rehabilitate his body. After a year of intense competition, he will need some time to recover.
It’s a good thing Ruud is focused on taking care of himself. His injury in training could have spoiled his chances in the tournament. That’s why he’s committed to staying fit and healthy for the remainder of the season.
Although he hasn’t made it into the first round of the Australian Open, he’s had a terrific year. In fact, he’s played more than 150 matches on the ATP Tour. Not bad for a player who was once considered an afterthought. And, in addition to his performance at the ATP Finals, he was able to win a mixed team championship, as well.