Casper Ruud idenfities big reason behind Rafael Nadal’s astonishing success in tennis
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World No. 5 Casper Ruud thinks Rafael Nadal’s mental strength is “extraordinary” and that’s one of the main reasons behind the enormous success the Spaniard has had throughout his career. Nadal, 36, captured a record 22nd Grand Slam title after beating Casper Ruud in the French Open final 6-3 6-3 6-0.
“You watch most players on the Tour, they probably have a good mental attitude but I think one of the extraordinary ones would be Nadal, to look how he plays every match, how he handles different situations, just kinda how fearful he is on court, that’s I think something you need to be in sports, in tennis especially, I think that’s part of the reason why he has had so much success,” Ruud told the LTA.
Ruud didn’t stand much chance versus Nadal
After losing the first set, Ruud took a 3-1 lead in the second set. Nadal then won the next 11 games and finished the French Open final by losing a total of six games. “Well, I wish I knew the answers too, but I got a cheap break of serve I think in the second set and was up 3-1, and of course wanted to get the match going and maybe try to win the set,” Ruud said.
“But then he stepped up and he showed that when he needs to he plays great. It was tough for me to really know where I should play the ball. When you are playing defensive against Rafa on clay, he will eat you alive.”
Ruud, who grew up idolizing Nadal, was playing the Spaniard for the first time. Even though Ruud didn’t stand much of a chance versus Nadal, he was still happy he had a chance to meet the Spaniard in a Grand Slam final.
Ruud said he maybe didn’t win the French Open but he will be able to tell his grandkids one day that he played Nadal in a French Open final.
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Source : tennisworldusa
