Casper Ruud shares he has heard from his sources that Rafael Nadal has been doing pretty well with life since walking away from pro tennis and the Norwegian funnily stated that he has a good idea why that’s the case.
After 23 years in pro tennis and battling numerous injuries throughout his career – especially in his last years – the former 22-time Grand Slam champion put an end to his career after the 2024 season. Since then, the Spanish tennis icon hasn’t made any appearances on the Tour but he will be at Roland Garros as the French Open organizers are planning to host a major tribute ceremony for their greatest champion.
“I’ve heard he (Nadal) is enjoying his new life. I assume he doesn’t miss waking up with a sore body and can live a normal life. He sacrificed himself for tennis for so long that it’s time to enjoy other things,” Ruud said at this week’s Barcelona Open.
Ruud on if it will be easier to win the French Open without Nadal competing
For nearly two decades, the Spaniard was an unstoppable force at Roland Garros and finished his career with a record 14 French Open titles and a 112-4 record.
In 2023, Nadal didn’t defend his title due to a hip injury and Novak Djokovic won the tournament that year. Last year, the 38-year-old Spaniard lost in the first round and Carlos Alcaraz ended up taking the title.
With the former Spanish No. 1 not playing anymore, Ruud acknowledges it’s a more open competition at the French Open.
“Yes and no. I don’t know what it feels like to win Roland Garros, but I’ve played two finals and I know it’s going to be tough whether Rafa is there or not. Obviously, statistically speaking, it should be easier to win in Paris without Rafa, because he won it 14 times. We all lost to him at some point. Alcaraz won it last year and could win it again. Zverev and Tsitsipas have been finalists, Sinner will be back… There are many who can win, and I hope to be one of them,” Ruud said.
In 2022, Ruud lost to Nadal in the French Open final and that turned out to be the Spaniard’s last title at Roland Garros. The Norwegian was also a French Open finalist in 2023 but fell short to Djokovic
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