Ruud made his debut confirming his candidacy for the title

the norwegian Casper Ruud “He may not be well known by most but he is one of those who can win the title,” he said. David Ferrer, sports director of Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Conde de Godó Trophythen mention players like Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz “without forgetting that there are many very good, such as Pablo Carreno“.

Yes, Ruud, 23 years old and world number 7, is eligible to be a candidate in any contest he steps on. He proved it by reaching the final of ATP Miami Masters 1000, bowed to Carlos Alcaraz. A sample of his general development, after entering the elite, which stands out especially in clay.

He was the player who won the most games on this surface between 2020 and 2022. There were 51 after beating the American Brandon Nakashima 6-3 and 6-2qualifying for round 16 of Godó 2022, against Kazakh Alexander Bublik o finnish Emil Ruusuvuori.

He adequately led the young North American, 20 years old and 81st ATP, to seek advice from Emilio Sanchez Vicario during the preseason, which also went through the academy of Francis Royg on his way through Barcelona. As Ruud long ago decided to establish as one of his main operations center Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor. His father trains him Christian Ruud, former ATP players, as well as Mallorca Pedro Clara, with him at the tournament in Barcelona.

Champion this course in the brick dust of Buenos Aires, in one of his seven titles on clay, Ruud started as the second seed in a Godó he hadn’t stepped on since 2017, when he reached the second round after passing the preliminary stage. His adventure ended then Albert Ramos.

In 2021 he had to retire due to injury after the effort that brought him to the semifinals of Monte Carlo, a result he will repeat in Rome. He was about to take a big step towards a big title. He doesn’t have ATP 500. Fight him this week.