Casper Ruud is focusing on the Italian Open after an early exit in Madrid, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Alexander Blockx. Ruud aims to regain his form on clay following this disappointing performance.
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Casper Ruud heads into the Italian Open hoping to put a disappointing title defence in Madrid behind him.
The Norwegian, known for his prowess on clay, fell short of expectations when he was knocked out of the quarterfinals by Alexander Blockx. The 21-year-old Belgian sealed the win in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
Ruudās 2026 clay-court season had already started on shaky ground. An early exit at Monte-Carlo came after a calf injury forced him out during his round-of-16 match against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Despite the setback, Ruud managed three wins in Madrid. One of those came in dramatic fashion against Stefanos Tsitsipas, where he saved two match points before completing the turnaround.
Now preparing for Romeās ATP Masters 1000 eventāhis third and final stop on clay this yearāRuud believes that conditions at the Italian Open will play to his strengths.
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Speaking to Tennis TV about how he plans to approach the conditions in Rome, Ruud said: āI think just getting my kind of heavier forehand going. Seeing that the courts are a bit slower, itās maybe easier to come around a few extra shots.
āFrom Madrid to here are probably the biggest differences that you will have in the clay court [season], going from a fast altitude, fast playing court to a slower one here in Rome.
āAnd the clay is kind of rougher here, thicker and makes the ball really slow down. So it takes a few days to adjust, which Iām still doing, and I have a few more days, luckily, to prepare and get ready for my first match.
Casper Ruud lost in the quarterfinals of Madrid to Alexander Blockx, with a score of 6-4, 6-4.
Ruud is looking to bounce back from his disappointing title defense in Madrid and regain his form on clay.
Casper Ruud was knocked out of the Madrid tournament by 21-year-old Belgian player Alexander Blockx.
Casper Ruud is known for his strong performance on clay courts.
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āSo I just find these conditions somewhat suiting my game well, and hopefully they can continue to do so these coming weeks.ā
Speaking about his 2026 season on clay so far, Ruud said: āI mean, [Iāve had] a couple of good wins and a bit unfortunate in Monte Carlo with a little bit of calf problem.
āAnd then, you know, in Madrid I just played someone who played better than me in the quarterfinal (Blockx). And thatās as simple as that.
āI think he, you know, executed a better match than myself and it didnāt go as I hoped in the quarterfinal there in Madrid, but thatās okay.
āI mean, you know, I had a quite dramatic match before (against Tsitsipas) and in a way should have maybe lost that match earlier or might have been on my way home earlier.
āSo at least I got through that match and was able to pull a tough match like that in. And that gives me confidence for this week in Rome.
āConditions are obviously quite different here, and then this next month will be a lot to play for. So Iām just hoping I can come through, you know, healthy and fit and not have any injury issues. Thatās the biggest hope, and see where that takes me.ā
Certainly one of the most interesting players on the ATP circuit right now.
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