“Novak Djokovic said it well, please don’t retire yet” – Casper Ruud urges Rafael Nadal to rethink retirement with Davis Cup Finals last dance looming

Casper Suud
Casper Suud urges Rafael Nadal to reconsider retirement (Image: All via Getty)

Casper Ruud has urged Rafael Nadal to reconsider his retirement ahead of the Spaniard’s farewell appearance at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. The former World No.1 stunned Nadal’s compatriot Carlos Alcaraz with a straight-sets win in the opening round match at the ATP Finals.

While Ruud hasn’t found his best form in recent weeks, he largely dominated an out-of-sorts Alcaraz in their opening-round clash. The Norwegian was the first to break after several wayward shots from the Spaniard, who racked up 18 unforced errors in the game.

While Alcaraz had his moments, he went on to lose in straight sets to the World No. 6, who won his 50th match of the season 6-1,7-5. Ruud will face Alexander Zverve and Andrey Rubley in his remaining two group stages matches.

“I kind of think Novak said it well during the Saudi tournament. Please don’t retire yet because you have so many fans around the world,” he said.

Ruud added that Nadal’s following wasn’t just limited to fans. He pointed out that several high-profile players, such as Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic attended his opening-round match at the 2024 Roland Garros.

“Even among the players, it’s kind of… One match that showed it quite clearly to me was during the Roland Garros this year, there were a lot of players that came out to watch Rafa-Zverev. Typically you don’t have Swiatek, Novak, Carlos, everyone coming out to watch the first round of a slam. But when it’s Rafa, it’s different,” he added.

However, the Norwegian admitted that it was inevitable and hoped Nadal would get a deserving farewell finish at the Davis Cup Finals.


“Luckily for me he did some unforced errors” – Casper Ruud explains how he managed to topple Carlos Alcaraz in the opening round

Nitto ATP Finals 2024 - Casper Ruud wins against Carlos Alcaraz in the opening round (Image via Getty)
Nitto ATP Finals 2024 – Casper Ruud wins against Carlos Alcaraz in the opening round (Image via Getty)

There’s no denying that Carlos Alcaraz was the favorite heading into the opening match against Casper Ruud, who has only managed three wins in his last 12 games. However, the Norwegian was accurate in his shots and impeccable in his serves, and with a little bit of luck, he managed to stun the Spaniard with a straight-set defeat.

“With Carlos, it’s like so difficult to play him because you know that he has the potential to hit any shot. Luckily for me today, a little bit more often than not, he also did some unforced errors. Particularly in the last game I remember when I was serving for it, I won the first point with an ace, next point he hits a beautiful backhand winner, next point is a backhand unforced error, next point I think is a volley winner. So it’s on and off,” Casper Ruud said

Ruud also added that he tried to play an aggressive game, which is against his nature, and while he was hesitant to do it, he tried and succeeded.

Related Posts

Rаfаel Nаdаl droрѕ worryіng hіnt аheаd of lаѕt рrofeѕѕіonаl tennіѕ mаtch

Rаfаel Nаdаl іѕ once аgаіn ѕtrugglіng wіth іnjury рroblemѕ (ріcture: Getty) Rаfаel Nаdаl hаѕ hіnted he mаy hаve to cаncel hіѕ ѕcheduled lаѕt рrofeѕѕіonаl tennіѕ mаtch due to…

Rаfаel Nаdаl Receіveѕ the Ultіmаte Ode to Hіѕ Tennіѕ Legаcy Wіth аn Emotіonаl Meѕѕаge From the Bіllіe Jeаn Cuр аnd Dаvіѕ Cuр

We’ve all been eager to honor Rafa and his stellar career – home to 22 Majors – and weirdly, still in disbelief. No one wants the ‘King of Clay’ gone. On October 10, Rafael Nadal shocked fans, announcing that he would withdraw from the ATP circuit and bid farewell at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain. The former world-ranking leader couldn’t “play without limitations” after a painful history of injuries and a final blow to the knee in Melbourne in 2023.

WATCH – Mаlаgа wіll welcome Rаfаel Nаdаl іn ѕtyle

Rafa Nadal’s retirement is getting closer and closer

WATCH – Rаfаel Nаdаl іѕ workіng very hаrd іn рrаctіce

There are only a few days left before the start of the Davis Cup Finals

“I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO HAVE MY WONDERFUL WIFE JELENA AND OUR TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN” Novаk Djokovіc Emotіonаlly Shаred About The Sрecіаl Gіft Hіѕ Chіldren Gаve Hіm

Please enable cookies.

Andrey Rublev points finger at Novak Djokovic over late ATP Finals withdrawal after Lorenzo Sonego calls out his ‘disrespectful’ Metz abandonment

Andrey Rublev explains what went down in Metz (Image source: GETTY) Andrey Rublev has responded to Lorenzo Sonego after the Italian called him out for being ‘disrespectful’…