"I have the chance to become World No. 1 because I won three ATP-250s this year" - Ruud points out importance of small events
ATP
Casper Ruud is one of the players who play the most ATP 250 tournaments, and he was finally able to show how beneficial they are.
The Norwegian player is known for playing in the ATP 250 tournaments far more than any other top players. At times, he was even criticized for it, but now, the numbers show why it was important.
Ruud bested Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals of the 2022 US Open, winning 7-6(5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. Thanks to that win, he will play in the final of the New York Slam, and with that, he will also have a chance to secure the ATP World No. 1 spot.
To reach the top spot, he will need to beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final. This wouldn't have been possible if he hadn't won three ATP 250 titles in Buenos Aires, Geneva, and Gstaad this year, which guaranteed him 750 points.
"I'll hopefully take every match that I play seriously and know that every match is important. That goes to show why I have the chance to become World No. 1, because I won three 250s this year which in the end gives me 750 points in the race."
"If I would have played those tournaments thinking, yeah, it's not that important because there's a Grand Slam coming, I wouldn't be in this position."
Ruud reached already the second Grand Slam final this year, and having such success at the major level helped him to realize that he's capable of challenging for the biggest trophies.
"I think when you have success or achieve or experience success in the Grand Slams, it sort of does something to your mindset."
While he doesn't plan to change his mindset when it comes to the importance of the smaller events, he will try to center his schedule more around the Grand Slams, knowing he will always be one of the favorites.
"Of course, I like to play a lot of tournaments other than the Grand Slams as well. I tend to play some smaller tournaments here and there to sort of get match practice and everything."
"Yeah, I mean, probably from next year leading into the Grand Slams, I'll have a different mindset than what I had this year going into the Grand Slams. Knowing that I can reach further stages, that does something to your self-belief. Yeah, it changes a little bit."
