Ruud on Djokovic and his gold medal: "He's so strong mentally".

Speaking at a press conference shortly after giving his nation the qualifying point against Portugal in the Davis Cup play-off, Casper Ruud expressed his satisfaction, but didn't boast about it either.

This was perhaps due to his opening defeat, which was of no consequence as he went on to win the doubles and his second singles.

Asked about Novak Djokovic and his future, Ruud, who will be taking part in the Laver Cup 2024 in Berlin, was hardly alarmist, insisting in particular on the Serb's latest achievement, his gold medal in Paris: "I think this final is the match I've ever seen with the best average quality throughout.

What he (Djokovic) did impressed me so much that any doubts we had before have disappeared.

Even in an injury-plagued season, he's so strong mentally that he's capable of coming back."