22-year-old Casper Ruud has had a sensational 2021 season so far. Presently, he is competing at the elite ATP Finals with the top eight players of the year and has reached the semifinals. But even though he’s one of the strongest competitors, his fellow athletes respect him as a kind-hearted soul. Hence, it wasn’t a surprise Ruud named Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to be his inspirations.

Primarily, the 22-year-old shared that being a nice guy in victory and defeat is one of the “important values” to him. Hence, Ruud aims to imitate Nadal and Federer’s behavior on the court. Most importantly, he shared a trait of the two tennis greats that he would want to follow throughout his career.

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Casper Ruud reveals how Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer inspired him

To begin with, Casper Ruud admitted that “it’s nice” when his peers such as Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev praise his on and off-court demeanor. Also, it is a value he is looking forward to keeping in victory and defeat and credited his family for the same.

“Of course, I can show some frustration on the court, but I think it’s always nice to try to stay calm and be a nice, down-to-earth guy. It’s important values to me,” Ruud said.

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Furthermore, the 22-year-old explained how it all started for him looking at Nadal and Federer. He even has the plan to not break a single tennis racquet just as the Spaniard.

“I’ve said to myself when I started on tour that I will try to go my full career without maybe breaking a racquet on tour. I can only name one player of the Top 10 who has done that, and it’s Nadal,” Ruud added.

Additionally, World No.8 also hailed the Swiss maestro in the same category. “Federer also has been exceptional, except one time in Miami that he broke the racquet. Those two guys have been exceptional in their behavior,” Ruud concluded.

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Who will Ruud face in the semifinals at ATP Finals 2021?

For a place in the final of the ATP Finals, Ruud will battle World No.2, Daniil Medvedev. Until now, the Russian star has maintained a clean 2-0 record against him. Will Ruud change it this time?

Above all, the Norwegian star is already one of the most-liked players on the ATP Tour at 22. Thus, following in the footsteps of the greats, he will one day become an example for the next generations.

Do you think Ruud will go on to win the ATP Finals this year?

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