Exclusive: ‘Historic’ Wimbledon is a ‘big goal’ for motivated Casper Ruud, eyes ‘last step’ in majors – ‘Ruud Talk’

After losing in three Grand Slam finals, Casper Ruud stresses that he is “motivated to take that last step and try to win one” as he eyes a deep run at Wimbledon.

Ruud suffered a chastening loss to Rafael Nadal in the final of Roland-Garros in 2022 before crashing to defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open just months later.

The 24-year-old will start Wimbledon as an outside contender to lift the trophy but will face stiff competition from familiar foes – Djokovic and Alcaraz.

However, he is desperate to achieve his “dream” of finally delivering a Grand Slam and admits Wimbledon is a “big goal” for him this year.

In an exclusive interview with Eurosport, the world No. 4 said: “I don’t think there is too much more I need to prove that I am this good or that good or not good or whatever, because I have reached three finals now.

“I think that gives me motivation to try to win one, and of course it stings to lose in the finals, but what would you rather have – losing in three second rounds or three finals? It’s an easy choice for me.

“I am very proud of what I have done. People can think and believe what they want but in my mind that shows great things for what the future can hold.

“I am motivated to try to take that last step and try to win one, that is my biggest goal and dream since I was a young kid.

“I have reached three finals, I haven’t been extremely close except maybe for US Open last year where it was a little closer because it was one-set all and I had set points to take the third set. That’s the one I will remember for being the closest for now.

“I have realised I am doing well but there are still plenty things that I can improve and become better. I wish to always try to develop as a player.

“These next five or six years can be very important and hopefully very enjoyable, as long as I stay healthy. The next year is going to be exciting for me.”

While Ruud has proven his quality on the hard and clay courts, his record on grass has been poor, losing five of his nine career matches on the surface.

The world No. 4 stresses that he is determined to make an impression at Wimbledon – a tournament he holds in high regard.

“People probably think I don’t take it very seriously but I do. I do want to do well. It’s just you have to prioritise a bit here and there,” he said.

“With the scheduling it’s pretty hectic after Wimbledon and it’s a long summer. I have a lot to try to defend during the summer. I have chosen to play the Laver Cup, so it’s going to be a long summer and fall.

“Wimbledon is obviously so big, every time I come there it’s an incredible feeling and it feels royal in a way. It’s historic. Obviously I want to try to perform well. Wimbledon is a big goal to me.

“It’s the Grand Slam that the most people around the world have heard about. It’s a tournament I watched all my childhood on TV, to perform there is a goal.”

Reflecting on the French Open final to Djokovic – which he lost in three sets – Ruud was proud of his performance against a player he describes as “the best” – even if he still bemoans some misfortune on his part.

He said: “I think there were two moments in the first set that didn’t go in my favour. I was up a break and then I had 4-2 and there was a really long rally where I ended up missing an overhead and that was break point for him.

“That was tough to accept, I had a couple of easy shots I wasn’t able to put away. But that’s Novak, he reads the game so well and he gets that extra ball that can be the difference sometimes.

“Also I was up 5-4 and had the wind with me on that side, and I was 0-30 on his serve and I hit a pretty heavy forehand and it seemed he hit it a bit late and got a bit fortunate as it hit the net and went over. If that stays in the net that’s 0-40 and things can change.

“I can maybe get the first set. Instead it’s 15-30 and he hits another good serve, and then he’s back in the game.

“Those two moments he got in his favour, but that’s tennis. It’s a long match and I don’t think those moments were the key to winning the whole match but I think the first set if I had won it could have been a different story.

“I gave it my all and I am proud of what I did at Roland-Garros. I wish I could have won but playing a guy who is chasing the record for most Grand Slams so he is not just going to give it to me, his motivation is going to be high, I knew that. He showed why he is the best.”

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