“It’s going to be so special this year, having the biggest four tennis players in my childhood " - Ruud buzzing for Laver Cup
ATP
Casper Ruud debuted at the Laver Cup last year in Boston, and he will return this year for a very special edition of the Laver Cup that he'll never forget.
Ruud played at the Laver Cup before, but the 2022 edition of the exhibition event will be special for everyone. Roger Federer, who will retire from tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup, was Ruud's childhood hero, so getting to be on a team with him this year will be an experience the Norwegian player will likely never forget.
Ruud got a chance to be in the same building as Federer before. The Swiss Maestro was shown on a screen during his match against Reilly Opelka at the 2021 Laver Cup in Boston, and the Norwegian player remembers the reception that the 20-time Grand Slam champion received.
"I was playing the first match of the whole Laver Cup against Opelka. It was the first time they showed Roger on the big screen in TD Garden in Boston, and the whole crowd erupted like I never heard before, so I can only imagine what it will be like when he’s on the team and when he will enter the court."
"It’s going to be so special this year, having the biggest four tennis players in my childhood. It’s going to be an honour."
Ruud admitted that he might be a bit nervous when competing at the Laver Cup this year. He will have Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray all watching him from the bench. However, he will try to overcome the nerves and use these legends as an inspiration.
"Probably going to be a bit nervous when I’m out there playing in front of them, but I’ll do my best and I’m very happy to be able to represent Europe for this year’s Laver Cup in front of a crowd full of cheerful fans, and a European bench of legends."
"I have taken some inspiration from what they did. They came from a small country and they were able to reach many of their goals."
