"I'm just another victim that Rafa has destroyed" says Ruud after losing to Nadal
ATP
Casper Ruud played his first Grand Slam final when he lost to Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Roland Garros in three sets.
After showing some great performances throughout the week, the young Norwegian couldn't stop his opponent from winning the 22nd Grand Slam title in Paris.
However, it was a great experience for Ruud to play in the final of a Grand Slam tournament, and after the final match, he showed that he was aware of his opponent's qualities.
"I said before the match that I guess it is, but now I think I know it is. So at least what I have faced, it's really challenging and really tough. His numbers speak for themselves."
"He has never lost a final here, and there is a reason why. Like I said in the [runner-up] speech, I'm just another one of the victims that he has destroyed on this court in the final."
Despite losing 3-6, 3-6, 0-6, Ruud also saw the positives of his run to the final of the French Open. He used the opportunities presented to him throughout the week, and that's something he wants to do again in the future.
"What I can say that I was able to do well these two weeks, was to take care of the chances I got and [seize] the opportunity. I kind of realised early this is a good chance to maybe go far, if I'm playing well and that there can be chances for me. I was able to take care of those chances."
"It was the first time I have experienced [being] in this situation and play a Grand Slam final. I don't think it really got to me until I stepped on court today and saw the full stadium and felt the atmosphere in the crowd."
At the same time, Ruud admitted that playing against Nadal in front of a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier was not easy. The positive thing for him is that he probably won't experience a bigger occasion in his life, which made this a valuable experience.
"It was a little bit, honestly, a bit tough to find myself too comfortable in the situation in the beginning. As the match went on, I tended to feel a little bit better and I could calm down and breathe out a little bit more. But it was challenging because you are playing him, the most winning-slam player ever and on this court in the final… It's not too easy."
"Of course, I wish I could make the match closer and all these things. But at the end of the day, I can hopefully one day tell my grandkids that I played Rafa on Chatrier in the final. They will probably say, ‘Wow, did you?’ I will say, ‘Yes’. I'm probably going to enjoy this moment for a long time."
