Stefanos Tsitsipas sends Casper Ruud message before Madrid clash

Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to face Casper Ruud at the Madrid Open, and the two have plenty of history together.

The former world number three has dropped all the way down to 80th in the ATP rankings, a steep fall from where he once was.

Still, he seems to be finding some form in Madrid, having reached the round of 16 for just the third time this season.

Tsitsipas has beaten Patrick Kypson, Alexander Bublik and Daniel Merida Aguilar at the ATP Masters 1000 event, where he meets world number 15 Ruud.

Stefanos Tsitsipas messages Casper Ruud before Madrid Open clash

Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

Ahead of his Madrid Open showdown with Casper Ruud, Tsitsipas posted a childhood photo of the two players facing each other on court on X. Reflecting on how far they have come, he wrote: “Me and my opponent in Madrid tomorrow – standing across the net some 17 years ago!

“What a ride [Casper Ruud].”

He was also asked who else was in the image, to which he responded: “Alexei Popyrin and Christian Linge.”

How the Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Casper Ruud H2H stacks up on the ATP Tour

Their next chapter unfolds in Madrid, where they’re set to face off for a sixth time.

Ruud comes into the match with a narrow edge, having taken three of their five encounters so far.

Interestingly, both of those matches were finals this year. Tsitsipas took the win in Monte Carlo, but Ruud bounced back with a victory in Barcelona.

A place in the quarterfinals is on the line this time, where either Francisco Cerundolo or Alexander Blockx will be waiting.