Ruud: "At the end, I was praying for a double fault from Novak".

Guillaume Nonque

le 13/04/2024 à 19h09

2 min to read

Djokovic Monte-Carlo Ruud Tsitsipas

Casper Ruud overcame Novak Djokovic on Saturday to join Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000. The Norwegian resisted the Serb's comeback and was the most consistent player in the end, winning in 2 hours 16 minutes and 3 sets (6-4, 1-6, 6-4). It was his first victory against a world No.1, and his first against a Top 3 ATP player. He was understandably moved and delighted at the end of the match.

Carper Ruud: "How did I beat Novak? I don't have all the answers right now. But it's a day I'll remember for a very long time. To beat the world number 1 is something I've never achieved before. I'm really happy. I'm in a bit of a state of shock right now.

I was ahead in the 3rd set, he came back, and you know how good that guy is under pressure. So I couldn't let victory slip away. Even at 0-40 in the last game, it was clear that it wasn't over yet. He's saved so many break points in such a crazy way during his career. I could only pray that, for once, he'd make a double fault. That's what I was thinking at the time, and maybe I was heard (Djokovic did indeed serve a double on the 3rd match point). Of course, it's a shame to end a match on a double fault, but I was still happy to see that ball out.

There's always one more match to play in tennis. It's not something new. Tomorrow will be a special day. A big final here in Monte Carlo. Of course, I've been chasing big titles for 3 years now. Now I've got another chance to do it, and it's up to me to seize it.

Stefanos plays very well. He's a great clay-court player, a great player on all surfaces. But clay is the surface on which he has had the most success, particularly here. So it's going to be a tough task, but I'm ready."