"Chasing something that was impossible" - Casper Ruud heartbroken over idol Rafael Nadal's French Open withdrawal
Casper Ruud recently gave his verdict on Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the French Open. Ruud's comments came after he was defeated by Holger Rune in the 2023 Italian Open semifinals.
Rafael Nadal made a heartbreaking announcement by revealing that he will stop playing for a certain period and that 2024 will possibly be his final year on the professional tennis tour.
He also confirmed that he will miss the upcoming French Open due to his ongoing injury, marking the first time the Spaniard has missed the tournament since 2004, having won it a record 14 times.
Casper Ruud was asked to comment on the Spaniard's announcement during a press conference following his defeat. According to the Norwegian, Nadal was chasing something physically impossible, and the decision may have been painful for him to make.
"Yeah, obviously was a lot of speculation whether he was going to play Roland Garros or not, I guess. I'm sure he tried the best that he could to be ready and fit. He's obviously always going to be the favorite if he plays," Ruud said.
"I think he was sort of chasing something that was impossible physically. I think he had a lot of pain and sort of decided that I gave all this effort for sort of nothing and not be ready for Roland Garros," he added.
Ruud went on to say that it is a "smart decision" from the 22-Grand Slam champion's end to take some months off because it will allow him to have a nice finish to his career.
"I think it's going to be smart decision to take some months off, like he said. Next year might be the last. Who knows. I hope that he can have a nice finish and end to his career. I'm sure he hopes that, as well," Casper Ruud said.
"I think that we will see him around in a year or so here maybe in Rome, Roland Garros maybe. Who knows. I think that's his goal and wish, and I hope that he can fulfill those goals and wishes," he added.
Casper Ruud hopes to have a good run at the French Open 2023
Casper Ruud then stated that he is concentrating on the Geneva Open and the French Open before the grass-court season begins and that he hopes to reawaken his 2022 Roland-Gardos memories in order to have a good run in the red dirt. Ruud reached the final of the Grand Slam tournament in 2022, where he was defeated by Rafael Nadal.
"There are two more tournaments on clay now before grass comes up for me - Geneva and Roland Garros - where last year I have some of the best memories of the year," Casper Ruud said.
"I hope that I can sort of awaken those memories again and keep building and be strong and fit and ready for Roland Garros," the Norwegian added.