Another Grand Slam closing misplaced, however Casper Ruud hopes he gained respect at French Open

Casper Ruud has now misplaced the three Grand Slam finals he has performed, however the Norwegian believes he has earned one thing on the French Open this 12 months – the respect of his friends.

Ruud misplaced 7-6(1) 6-3 7-5 in opposition to Novak Djokovic in his second straight closing at Roland Garros on Sunday because the Serbian claimed a record-breaking twenty third males’s Grand Slam title.

Last 12 months, he was demolished by his mentor Rafael Nadal on the French Open, earlier than falling in 4 units in opposition to Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz on the U.S. Open closing in September.

Great combat, Casper Ruud

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— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023

“Obviously anyone you play in a Grand Slam final is going to be a good player. But the three players I’ve played is just Rafa going for, at the time, the record for 22, and then Carlos who was just on fire in New York, and then here, Novak, going for 23. I played very tough players, as you say,” the 24-year-old Ruud stated.

“There have been other players in the final, also in the last years, who have maybe been more playable or beatable.”

Ruud, who has reached the ultimate in three of the final 5 majors, is assured the wheel of fortune can flip as he accumulates expertise on the highest degree.

“I can’t just sit and make excuses, but let’s see what the future holds. I think this is maybe the most important final that I reached, honestly, because … here I sort of proved that whatever happened last year is just not like a one-time case,” he defined.

A fortnight to recollect for @CasperRuud98 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5qWmk7QY0k

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023

“Even for subsequent 12 months once we come again to Roland Garros, individuals are going to look, ‘Oh, Casper didn’t simply make one closing however he made it twice’.

“Probably going to plant some respect in my opponents’ eyes and hopefully I can build on that.”

‘CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR’

Ruud positively earned Djokovic’s respect when he made a quick begin on Sunday, opening a 3-0 lead with an early break, earlier than the Serbian turned the screw and took his opponent right into a tiebreak.

In the entire event, Djokovic has not made a single unforced error in seven tiebreaks, and he got here into the competition having gained the final 100 Grand Slam matches during which he took the primary set.

“There’s no bad words allowed here so I don’t know what to say. But you’re thinking, you know, the F word because you just lost a really tough set against Novak,” stated Ruud.

“He’s going to build on it and it’s tough to bounce back from that.”

Back to again finalist, @CasperRuud98 🇳🇴👏#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ld3fKO63RL

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023

It was certainly robust for Ruud, who rapidly misplaced contact within the second set.

“I let him get away in the second set too easily. That’s something I must build on or be better at if I want to have a chance against these guys,” he stated.

Ruud, nonetheless, can look forward with some confidence as his consistency is probably going to provide him one other shot at a Grand Slam title.

“I’m gonna try to obviously aim for a slam title. That’s my biggest goal, my biggest dream in my career and in my life,” he stated.

“It’s been close, but no cigar, so I’m going to keep working and try to get it one day.”