Tennis, beneath the glitz of money and fame, often veils a brutal mental toll, and Casper Ruud‘s 2025 season has reflected that harsh reality. From a second-round exit at the AO to a heartbreaking final loss in Dallas, followed by a walkover in Mexico and disappointing R16 defeats in Miami and Monte Carlo, his journey has been anything but smooth. Add a tough loss in Barcelona, and you wonder, how does one’s mind endure it all? Yet, Ruud continues to stand tall, weathering every storm with quiet resilience. Now surging into the semis at the Madrid Open, the Norwegian opened up about those darker days!

Casper Ruud maintained his flawless record in ATP Masters 1000 clay-court QF, advancing to 7-0 with a determined 6-3, 7-5 win over Daniil Medvedev at the Mutua Madrid Open. Despite Medvedev’s aggressive tactics, 23 winners and frequent net play, Ruud held his nerve to clinch the SF spot in just under 100 minutes.

Beyond the scoreboard, the Norwegian star reflected on his journey off the court, revealing how he overcame personal mental struggles. His words served as a powerful reminder that strength isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, too!

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ruud said, “I have been feeling not great mentally this year,  but I’ve seeked help which is really helped for me and I’ve been feeling quick response and feeling lot better. So that’s really helped to have someone to talked to about certain things and it’s a tough life in many ways.”

The 26-year-old disclosed that addressing the pressures he faced through seeking help has resulted in improved mornings. According to the Norwegian, “Travel days and dropped a point when it got to felt like it getting too much but I really seeked helped and it’s been working. So I’m happy to feel more joy and feel I’m in a better place I guess and I am waking up every day and feeling like a with a smile on my face. So I’m happy that I was honest with myself and I needed some help.”

Even in 2024, Casper Ruud started strongly with titles in Barcelona and Geneva and an SF run at the French Open, where he traditionally excels. However, his form dipped on faster hard courts, which don’t suit his heavy forehand and baseline-driven style. The quick autumn conditions contributed to early exits, including a tragic fourth-round defeat at the US Open, highlighting his ongoing struggle to adapt across all surfaces consistently.

However, now, Ruud’s powerful run at the Madrid Open continues to make waves, both in performance and ranking. With his impressive straight-sets win over Daniil Medvedev in the QF, Ruud has surged three spots to rank 12 in the Live ATP Rankings. If he reaches the final, the Norwegian is set to re-enter the Top 10, a position he lost just two weeks ago after failing to defend his title in Barcelona. His dominance in Madrid, where he has yet to drop a set, highlights his sharp form and readiness to challenge for his first-ever Masters 1000 crown.

At just 26, Ruud has now become the first player born in 1990 or later to reach 30 tour-level semi-finals on clay, a remarkable achievement that underlines his prowess on the surface. With his 9th Masters 1000 SF appearance now in the books, the Norwegian star seems primed for a breakthrough moment on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Beyond the stats, Ruud has also shown emotional depth. He even took a moment to show heartfelt support for Iga Swiatek, who left the court in tears after a crushing SF loss in Madrid.

Casper Ruud sends his heartfelt support to Iga Swiatek

The World No. 2, Iga Swiatek, suffered a shocking 6-1, 6-1 defeat to Coco Gauff in the SF of the Madrid Open, breaking off her title defense. Known for her dominance on clay, the 5-time GS champion looked unusually unsettled, racking up 28 unforced errors in a match that exposed her struggles with rhythm and composure.

The tension was palpable, culminating in a code violation for audible obscenity; an uncharacteristic moment for Swiatek. Following her QF exit in Stuttgart, this defeat adds to a string of disappointments as she prepares for crucial title defenses in Rome and Roland Garros.

Emotions ran high after the match! Swiatek sat on the bench, face buried in a towel, visibly sobbing in the Madrid heat. The Tennis Letter posted the heartbreaking moment on X, captioning it with broken hearts: “Iga 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔.” The clip triggered an emotional wave of support, including a heartfelt message from Casper Ruud.

“Hey @iga_swiatek keep your head up 🙏🙏 Like millions of other people I love watching you play. Not your day today, but you inspire so many and you’ll be back stronger than ever!!😊🤩👏🎾,” wrote Ruud. 

Meanwhile, Ruud now turns his focus to his SF clash against Francisco Cerundolo, with the 26-year-old trailing the tie 3-5. Who are you backing in this thrilling clay-court battle?