One of the greatest challenges of being a top tennis player is remaining one, year after year, even as the rest of the field conspires to tear you down. In the first few months of his sophomore season among the elite, Casper Ruud continues to exemplify that struggle. Ruud, the French Open runner up last year, suffered another early loss on clay, losing 6-3, 6-4 to young Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the Madrid Open.
A year ago, Ruud had reached the fourth round of a grand slam only once. Although he was already a top 10 player, he had a reputation for specialising in clay and thriving in the smaller events. The Norwegian blew every expectation out of the water in his breakthrough season, reaching finals at the French Open, US Open, ATP Finals and Miami Open. A match away from the top spot in New York, he finished the season having reached a career high ranking of No 2.
