Insolite - Ruud didn't expect to play with Alcaraz: "Carlos asked me to play with him".
Casper Ruud is not in the best of form, and this Laver Cup has generally confirmed it.
Already disappointing in the singles on Friday, the Norwegian was then completely transparent in the doubles played and lost with Stefanos Tsitsipas against the Shelton-Tabilo pair (6-1, 6-2).
However, Ruud was lined up on Sunday to play an all-important doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz.
The decision may have come as a surprise, given the French Open double-finalist's current form, but the choice paid off, as the European pair won in two sets against Shelton and Tiafoe (6-2, 7-6).
Interviewed in the press conference, the world number 9 confessed to having been surprised himself by his team's choice, explaining that it was even a direct request from Alcaraz: "It was a bit of a humiliation with Tsitsipas. It was as if I'd never played doubles before.
But Carlos asked me to play with him, I don't know why, because I really hadn't been at my best."
