Casper Ruud says he is ‘expecting more from himself’ during this year’s European clay swing compared to previous seasons.
The world No.10 came into this week’s Monte Carlo Masters with a win-loss record of 20-6 so far in 2024. Seeded eighth in the draw, he has claimed two additional victories by beating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo and recently crowned Estoril Open champion Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets. However, the Norwegian is hungry for more.
“I’m looking for more steady results,” Ruud told reporters after beating Hurkacz. “I told myself that I would like to reach the quarterfinal or better every time I show up to a tournament on the clay – that’s kind of the main goal for the clay season. “If that’s, five, six quarterfinals in a row, I’ll take it but of course you want to go even deeper.”
The 25-year-old has already proven himself to be a formidable player on the clay. According to the ATP, Ruud has won 96 Tour-level matches on the surface since 2020 which is more than any other ATP player. Second place in Stefanos Tsitsipas who has recorded 71 victories during this period. He has reached the final of the French Open the past two years.
Furthermore, nine out of Ruud’s 10 Tour titles have been won on the clay. However, he is yet to claim a trophy at an event above 250 level. This year he has been runner-up at hard court tournaments in Los Cabos and Acapulco.
“I’ve kind of set that as a little minimum to try to come in with a different mentality this year and expect a little bit more for myself,” he said. “I’ve had a few good results in the past on clay, obviously Roland-Garros twice in a row with a really great result, that gives me confidence to say these things that I am going to try to do well in every clay tournament.
“Sometimes you have to say certain things, that you believe in yourself, and I have gained a lot of self-belief after a few results in my career already. I’m getting older and there are more young guys coming.”
In Monte Carlo, Ruud will play Ugo Humbert in the quarter-finals on Friday. He is currently 5-0 when it comes to playing quarter-final matches on the clay at Masters 1000 events. However, he has only beaten the Frenchman once out of their four previous meetings.
Should Ruud prevail, he will rise to at least No.7 in the PIF ATP rankings on Monday.
