Ruud on Sinner loss: "Honestly I think it was more fun than anything"

[Razer]

That’s because you have never played the sport at any level or ever maybe.

Of course, a certain threshold of skills has to be there for anyone to compete, but if you saw two players, one who is in the top 20 and another one who’s in the top 70 practicing there would be no way to tell them apart for the most part. Can you play a 50–50 sport like this mentality is what separates these players because if you don’t have the mentality, you cannot execute under any sort of pressure. There are some players who skills, who’s height, everything seem to be lacking, but they are just extraordinarily competitive and even with their lesser skills make it very difficult for the opponent because the opponent knows that they will not concede anything.

Well said.

Casper Ruud's statement is extremely shameless and lacking self respect, it is similar to current roddick of 2020s but back in the day even Roddick seemed angry with his losses to Federer in 03-07, he was not at all submissive in those years or dismissing himself even remotely. Probably 2009 wimbledon killed his belief. The comparison of Roddick to Ruud is absurd, just because present roddick lacks self respect doesnt mean prime roddick rolled over to Fed, he never did, he was pretty intense in us open 2007 as well but failed anyway.... ruud is nothing....

 

[Drighiz]

I don't feel like beating on Ruud for this one. Jannik was a Tornado, every shot aimed at putting Casper in trouble and succeeding. Too much difference. He would have needed two of himself yesterday.

 

[Shaolin]

Not a surprising comment from Ferrer 2.0.

 

[zagor]

Not a surprising comment from Ferrer 2.0.

It's an insulting comparison for Ferru to be honest. He was a dogged competitor who played in a far tougher era.

 

[Hitman]

Good on Ruud, he accepted it for what it is, an ATG in the making absolutely zoning into God mode. These things do happen, even to the best of them, of course the scoreline was a massive beat down, but again, this stuff does happen. It is best not to dwell on it, play that match again, during the day, and I doubt Ruud wins just one game.

 

[ChrisRF]

It was fun to be blown off the court, lol. Thank goodness that generation is being sent out the door.

Has nothing to do with "generations" or such artificial constructs. The humorous phrase "Thankfully I had the best place in the audience" when getting destroyed is common in any sport since decades ago.

In the 90s there were no social medial, so you couldn't read comments on every match, but for example I remember Becker saying to Sampras "It was a pleasure playing with you" after losing comfortably.

This has nothing to do with a bad mentality. On the contrary, I think Ruud is one of the hardest workers on tour. But in contrast to some others he isn't a sore loser and simply knows when he was deservedly beaten by a very rare performance.

 

[Fedforever]

This is like Jonas Bjorkman after getting beaten by Federer in 2006

"I felt like I played a guy who was near as perfection as you can play the game," said the Swede. "He just made it look so easy.

"I had the best seat in the house in a way.

Don't see an issue with it. If you're playing one of the potential greats (and we can surely start putting Sinner in that category) sometimes they're going to do that to you. Might as well admit it and move on.

BBC SPORT | Tennis | Sizzling Federer crushes Bjorkman

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Ruud seems like a genuinely nice chap and I quite like him as a person, shame he's so feeble as a player who overachieved massively in this sick era.

 

[Fedforever]

It may be an honest response but, deep down, it must be depressing to realise you are very unlikely to win a match against this particular opponent (H2H now 0-4) and that he will, in all probability, always be a barrier to winning anything big. Ruud is probably lucky to get his sole big title (2025 Madrid) before Sinner returned to the tour.

I have a lot of respect for the players that win in those conditions.

Sure they might have "only" won because Djokovic or whoever was missing. But every other player in that tournament has the same opportunity so full credit to the guy who actually seizes it.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

I don't ask for Casper to be deeply depressed or sleep deprived after this at all. I want him to move on but... Calling it fun? Seriously ? Dude slow clay is supposed to be your best surface, getting destroyed like this should at least be a setback.
On the WTA side, even relative gatekeepers like Paolini or Navarro would have been at least a little bit pissed and would not just accept their fate like this.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Gonna have to push back here, obviously skill is a huge part but mentality is massive in tennis. For instance I don’t think Zverev’s main issue is a lack of skill, it’s his mentality that lets him down.

I will agree that Ruud is comparatively lacking in “skills” i.e. he doesn’t have the tools to counter Sinner in these conditions.

Zverev issue is lack of skill.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I don't mean to be rude brother, but this is one of the worst takes I've read in a long time.

Ruud statement after match is... tragic. With that mindset, he will never beat Sinner, and he's 0:4 at the moment.​

It's possible he would never beat Sinner and it would not be due to mindset

 

[TennisBro]

I don't ask for Casper to be deeply depressed or sleep deprived after this at all. I want him to move on but... Calling it fun? Seriously ? Dude slow clay is supposed to be your best surface, getting destroyed like this should at least be a setback.

Italian mafia's payout as well as options to train with Yannick's doping team and relax at Sardinia's luxurious resorts is FUN. Win-win for all, especially the TV channels' rights for the prospective match between Sinner and Alcaraz.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Being a gracious loser is one thing, but he should have some self-respect. Calling a 6-0, 6-1 beatdown "fun" is weird.

Fun? I'd be absolutely fuming.

Still can't believe this dude reached 3 slam finals.

It was fun to be blown off the court, lol. Thank goodness that generation is being sent out the door.

What an absolute loser.

that gave a great pic, though...

He doesn’t make sour comments like Zverev did today after losing to Musetti. Who do you want your aspiring tennis pro kids to be like?

the letsgoyelling zviraffe would claim his opponent was lucky and didn't try anything on the court, despite eating a truckload of winners...

 

[sortof]

the letsgoyelling zviraffe would claim his opponent was lucky and didn't try anything on the court, despite eating a truckload of winners...

The zviraffe lacks class in every aspect of the game.

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[CoolCoolCool]

 

[jl809]

Everyone saying this is great and level-headed… could you ever imagine a 5+ slam winner saying this?

This is pathetic stuff from a guy who lies down before he even goes on court if he’s drawn against an ATG tier player in a bit of form. He’s a loser whose 2 RG finals (where his only weapon got reduced to ashes both times by Ancient Djokodal) are a testament to the joys of the bum era we’ve had since 2020

 

[tennito]

Everyone saying this is great and level-headed… could you ever imagine a 5+ slam winner saying this?

This is pathetic stuff from a guy who lies down before he even goes on court if he’s drawn against an ATG tier player in a bit of form. He’s a loser whose 2 RG finals (where his only weapon got reduced to ashes both times by Ancient Djokodal) are a testament to the joys of the bum era we’ve had since 2020

Yeah, this is very much in the category of 'think it, don't say it'. Save it for a interview in 10 years.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Casper is still hot yall haters looking like toes can cope

 

[merwy]

Now there would be some members here preaching how ruud needs more fire and his attitude is not right.

If such members exist, I would say they understand nothing.

Skills comes first. Mentality is very small part of tennis.

You couldn't be more wrong with the bolded part.

It's fine if Ruud reacts like this just because he doesn't want to respond negatively in front of press, but I hope that his true feelings are different to what he's saying here. On the other hand, if I'm completely honest, it feels as if Ruud has already overachieved with all his grand slam finals if I'm purely judging him on ability. He can't touch the level of Alcaraz and Sinner when those guys are on.

 

[tennito]

Even on club level, lots of guys with sound technique lose to pusher type players with winner's instinct.

Tennis is a mental game.

You see extreme examples of this at the junior levels.

We had a 14 year old kid in our academy who, on his day, was by far the best player in a squad which had some of the best 16 year old juniors in the country in it. But 95% of the time he was useless.

 

[nolefam_2024]

You couldn't be more wrong with the bolded part.

It's fine if Ruud reacts like this just because he doesn't want to respond negatively in front of press, but I hope that his true feelings are different to what he's saying here. On the other hand, if I'm completely honest, it feels as if Ruud has already overachieved with all his grand slam finals if I'm purely judging him on ability. He can't touch the level of Alcaraz and Sinner when those guys are on.

Thank you.

Mentality only matters when there are many paths to victory. Like Djokovic vs Nadal. Both can do whatever on both wings and then mentality plays some small part.


Completely overrated in ttw discussions. If one player is far better , you don't stand a chance. Federer thrashed Ferrer 16 times. Screw mentality.

 

[alexio]

Thank you.

Mentality only matters when there are many paths to victory. Like Djokovic vs Nadal. Both can do whatever on both wings and then mentality plays some small part.


Completely overrated in ttw discussions. If one player is far better , you don't stand a chance. Federer thrashed Ferrer 16 times. Screw mentality.

mentality is way more important than you think, all technique can fastly evaporate when trembling like a thin tree under heavy wind

 

[nolefam_2024]

mentality is way more important than you think, all technique can fastly evaporate when trembling like a thin tree under heavy wind

Yes. I am well aware of ttw herd thinking

 

[thrust]

As sensible a way to deal with a drubbing as any, in my view. I'm sure he will reflect on the huge difference in level more deeply on his own time. Not being brought to depression or anger by a bad loss doesn't mean anything.

From what I saw of the match, Sinner played out of his mind so there was nothing Ruud, or perhaps anyone else, could do to win. Good for Ruud for not getting depressed for such a loss.

 

[RaulRamirez]

I didn't watch the match.
Did Ruud give full effort?
If so, it's a non-issue.

I get a kick out of all the people (like me) who would kill to play one match on the pro tour lecturing a top 7 player who once made it to #2 about his mentality.

Sometimes, you just flush the match and tip your cap to your opponent.

 

[hoodjem]

I reaglly appreciate Ruud’s attitude about this.
“It was like playing a wall that shoots hundred-mile-an-hour balls at you all the time.”

When your opponent plays like that, all you can do is smile, applaud, congratulate him, and say “You played great.”
That’s what a good sport would do.

Or, you could be a jerk like Connors and say: “I'll follow that son-of-a-b**ch to the ends of the Earth. Everytime he looks over his shoulder, he'll see my shadow!” As if he insulted your mother, or worse.

It’s only a game.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I didn't watch the match.
Did Ruud give full effort?
If so, it's a non-issue.

I get a kick out of all the people (like me) who would kill to play one match on the pro tour lecturing a top 7 player who once made it to #2 about his mentality.

Sometimes, you just flush the match and tip your cap to your opponent.

He gave full effort surely. The one game he won, sinner had breakpoint as well. Could easily be 0 and 0.

The night match and small center court does benefit sinner though. In hot day on PC , the match can be much better. Djokovic thrashed Thiem in same night match at Rome and then lost at rg. Look at how Djokovic took time away by brutal hitting at night.

Sinner did exact same thing. I think he would dominate Rome for years to come.

 

[merwy]

Thank you.

Mentality only matters when there are many paths to victory. Like Djokovic vs Nadal. Both can do whatever on both wings and then mentality plays some small part.


Completely overrated in ttw discussions. If one player is far better , you don't stand a chance. Federer thrashed Ferrer 16 times. Screw mentality.

I agree with the fact that skill level is extremely important. But mindset/mentality can just make that small difference to win a match and at the top level it's all about small differences.

 

[smoledman]

Murray went 0-4 in GS finals before winning.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Murray went 0-4 in GS finals before winning.

Ruud will go 0-3

 

[Spin Diesel]

Ruud is both a likable winner when he wins and a likable loser when he loses. Sounds like he felt like he was being given a lesson today. He doesn’t make sour comments like Zverev did today after losing to Musetti. Who do you want your aspiring tennis pro kids to be like?

What did Zverev say - I missed that?

 

[nolefam_2024]

What did Zverev say - I missed that?

There is a lot of talk like how musetti is defensive and didn't do much to win.

What Zverev has is what is called impotent rage. Tsitsipas had it for rublev in one atp finals.

 

[merwy]

There is a lot of talk like how musetti is defensive and didn't do much to win.

What Zverev has is what is called impotent rage. Tsitsipas had it for rublev in one atp finals.

If anyone wins matches by just standing far behind the baseline and bringing balls back, it's Zverev. So maybe he shouldn't be speaking about this subject.

 

[nolefam_2024]

If anyone wins matches by just standing far behind the baseline and bringing balls back, it's Zverev. So maybe he shouldn't be speaking about this subject.

Yes. Musetti dropshots got zverev good.

 

[CoolCoolCool]

Murray went 0-4 in GS finals before winning.

Difference is Ruud lost to geriatric Djokodal and Babyraz. I don't think prime Murray would lose to any of them.

 

[Rovesciarete]

Among the elite mentality is a key element but some in this forum abuse it - rather ironically - as a cop-out, to avoid looking a bit more deeply into the matter.

Sinner is a bad match-up for Ruud and he faced a Jannik in brilliant form under unfavorable conditions. Mentality is no magic.

 

[Kralingen]

Among the elite mentality is a key element but some in this forum abuse it - rather ironically - as a cop-out, to avoid looking a bit more deeply into the matter.

Sinner is a bad match-up for Ruud and he faced a Jannik in brilliant form under unfavorable conditions. Mentality is no magic.

Is he a “bad matchup” or is he just a much superior tennis player?

A top player losing 6-0, 6-1 cannot be explained solely by matchup, the losing player must have played independently quite poorly to lose like that.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Ah, fun.

Enjoyment, amusement, or light-hearted pleasure.
"The children were having fun in the play area"

Amusing, entertaining, or enjoyable.
"it was a fun evening"

"No need to get sore—I was only funning"

What qualifies as fun? Getting my behind kicked 6-1 6-0, I guess.

Well, to each their own, Clyde.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

The guy reached 2 RG finals. He’s not a clay journeymen . Even if your opponent is more talented, you have to at least have some pride to make the score line respectable

Federer had made his 3rd RG (4th really) final and was massacred by Nadal in 2008. **** happens.

We've seen even some double bagels at big events, one very recent.

 

[ghostofMecir]

Thank you.

Mentality only matters when there are many paths to victory. Like Djokovic vs Nadal. Both can do whatever on both wings and then mentality plays some small part.


Completely overrated in ttw discussions. If one player is far better , you don't stand a chance. Federer thrashed Ferrer 16 times. Screw mentality.

You’re ignoring everyone who has told you otherwise, so I’m not sure why I’m bothering, but Ferrer is the perfect example about why mentality matters.

Ferrer had zero paths to victory over Nadal or Djokovic, yet beat them many times. Ruud’s serve+first FH gives him a better opportunity to win games vs.Sinner than anything Ferrer had in his matches vs. the big three.

Against Federer, against whom he couldn’t win, he played him tough even after losing so many times and losing easily including 2009 Cincy when he had chances to win by making the match ugly and turning it into a dogfight.

 

[The_Order]

Ruud channeling his inner Jonas Bjorkman who was just as happy to take the beatdown Roger gave him at WIM06...

Pathetic mentality...

 

[placebo]

Ruud won't even win a set against Sinner with this mindset.

 

[nolefam_2024]

You’re ignoring everyone who has told you otherwise, so I’m not sure why I’m bothering, but Ferrer is the perfect example about why mentality matters.

Ferrer had zero paths to victory over Nadal or Djokovic, yet beat them many times. Ruud’s serve+first FH gives him a better opportunity to win games vs.Sinner than anything Ferrer had in his matches vs. the big three.

Against Federer, against whom he couldn’t win, he played him tough even after losing so many times and losing easily including 2009 Cincy when he had chances to win by making the match ugly and turning it into a dogfight.

Ferrer does not have zero path to victory over Nadal at all. He has incredible return and he also can grind out rallies with solid backhand. As you already know. Still you said he has no path to victory. Ferrer is very solid counter to Nadal game.

 

[rUDin 21]

Let's just say, I rather watch Soderling,Ferrer and Tsonga lose to B3, than this guy play any match.
He is the most unwatchable top player.
I'd rather watch Zed mess it up for a 100th time.

 

[johnmccabe]

The guy reached 2 RG finals. He’s not a clay journeymen . Even if your opponent is more talented, you have to at least have some pride to make the score line respectable

There is no such thing as respectable score line. Anyone can collect bagels under certain circumstances. If someone disrespects Ruud because of this particular score line, they probably didn't watch the match.

 

[johnmccabe]

Good on Ruud, he accepted it for what it is, an ATG in the making absolutely zoning into God mode. These things do happen, even to the best of them, of course the scoreline was a massive beat down, but again, this stuff does happen. It is best not to dwell on it, play that match again, during the day, and I doubt Ruud wins just one game.

Keyboard heros talking shiiit about Ruud because of 0 and 1, simply didn't watch the match or didn't understand Sinner performance.

 

[johnmccabe]

Ruud won't even win a set against Sinner with this mindset.

What you say at presser is not what you think in the next match

 

[smalahove]

It's pretty apparent most of you have no clay experience whatsoever. Yesterday's conditions were arguably the absolute best conditions for a player such as Sinner, approximating a slow-to-medium pace hard court. Sinner entered god mode and all the balls ended up perfectly in his strike zone. The fun part is that he was making absolutely everything, with interests, playing as deep as you come, flat out, all the time. Rafa pace with Novak precision.

Ruud's game otoh, is based on getting the ball consistently high to his opponents BH and FH, which is a solid strategy on clay, when the temperatures are high and court is dry. There is no way Sinner would have pulled this off on PC in those conditions. There is a reason Rafa won 14 RGs standing outside of camera view.