"If we see each other we can say hello" - Ruud on relationship with Kyrgios
ATP
Nick Kyrgios and Casper Ruud went through a period when they went at each other, but according to the Norwegian, that has changed.
The two met at the Italian Open in Rome a few years ago. It was in 2019, and they met in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the Italian capital.
Kyrgios stunned the 12th-seeded Daniil Medvedev in the first round, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, while Ruud got through the qualifying and then beat fellow qualifier Daniel Evans in the first round, 7-5, 0-6, 6-3.
In their second-round meeting, each player won one set, with the scoreboard showing 6-3, 6-7(5), 2-1 for Ruud. That was when his Australian opponent was disqualified from the match. The Norwegian player then celebrated his win with the fans after Kyrgios' disqualification.
The two then exchanged some messages on social media, as the Australian didn't like that, but that now seems to be a thing of the past. Ruud spoke about their relationship ahead of the 2023 United Cup. He admitted that they say hello to each other when they meet.
"You know, I didn't receive a Christmas card from him; nor did he receive one from me. But if we see each other, we can say hello, and there's no hard feelings."
Ruud also praised Kyrgios' abilities. He was able to recognize how well the Australian can play, and he also revealed that Kyrgios approached him during the Laver Cup in Boston.
"Nick is such a talented player, and he can beat anyone. I mean, you don't want to have a feud going on against him because he will probably want to bring his A-game every place."
"There is really nothing going on. What happened in Rome many years ago happened, and he got the better of me last time in Indian Wells. He came to me in the Laver Cup last year in Boston and congratulated me after my victory and said that I was doing great and so on. So he's been positive and cheering me on for the last year or so."
