We asked Casper Ruud (21) what he thinks of some of tennis’ “bad boys”. This week, one of them could be his toughest challenger in the battle for a new ATP title.
RYEN (Nettavisen): Despite a season that was amputated due to the corona, Casper Ruud has managed to make a big success in 2020.
In February, he won his first ATP title in Argentina and after the corona break, the snarøya boy can point to the semifinals in Rome and Hamburg, as well as a new career best on the ATP rankings, with his 25th place.
Ahead of the ATP 250 tournament on the Sardinia gravel this week, the Norwegian is seeded as number three and is the bookmakers’ favorite to win the tournament.
One of his biggest challengers in the battle for the title will probably be the first-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini – one of several splashes of color on the ATP tour.
The day before Ruud’s departure for Sardinia, we asked the Norwegian tennis star about Fognini and a few more of tennis ‘more untraditional players – tennis’ “bad boys”.
Medvedev – Russian class and aggression
Ruud ended up, during the ATP Cup earlier this year in a discussion with a very angry Daniil Medvedev. The Russian, who is now ranked number six in the world, thought Ruud should have complained about a ball that went through the net.
However, the Norwegian stood his ground and informed Medvedev that it was the Russian who got a simple ball due to the net hit.
Ruud believes the Russian is a type of player who can get even better when he fires up.
– He is a slightly strange and special guy. Actually, I think he is nice, but we players have an extreme competitive instinct, and sometimes it can turn a little black for us. It can happen to anyone, but I see that he gets into some discussions sometimes. He is an extremely good player, and it is almost better when he does not get excited. It seems as if he delivers even better tennis then, says Ruud to Nettavisen.
Mutual settlement: Medvedev vs. Ruud 1-0
Fognini – Italian passion
Fabio Fognini is another player with skills and temperament at the same high level. The Italian is the first seed in the Sardinia tournament this week and ranked as number 16 in the world.
The 33-year-old can go from world-class tennis to miserable achievements in such a short time that he has become a little mystery in the tennis world.
– He is an extremely good tennis player. It’s hard to understand him sometimes, because he can be so extremely good, so the next day it may seem like he is not interested in being on a tennis court. Everyone on the tour respects how good he is and how good tennis he can deliver. He showed it last year in Monte Carlo when he won the tournament and beat Nadal in the semifinals, says Ruud about the Italian.
Mutual settlement: Fognini vs. Ruud 0-2
Paire – French arrogance and madness
Frenchman Benoit Paire goes on to be among the tour’s angriest and most outgoing. He has shown this repeatedly with racket crushing and insults from both referees and opponents.
Paire is ranked number 26 in the world – the place behind Ruud and has lost both of his two meetings with the Norwegian.
