Casper Ruud from Norway supports Wimbledon’s recent decision to eliminate the restriction on Russian and Belarusian players competing at this year’s tournament. Due to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, the All England Club controversially opted to ban players from the aforementioned two nations last year. Because of this, the ATP and WTA decided to retaliate by depriving the tournament of all ranking points.
Wimbledon nonetheless made the decision to reverse their initial decision this year, with the requirement that competitors from the aforementioned nations sign a declaration outlining their opposition to the war. Ruud defended the choice, saying the athletes were not to blame for their birthplaces.
During an interview with Eurosport, Casper commented:
“It’s not their fault where they were born. As a colleague and opponent, you regretted that they couldn’t play last year. It’s one of the biggest and most historic tournaments we have, so it’s kind of fair and nice that they can play again. I mean, you can’t ask much more from these guys.”
Ruud in Estoril, ranking, and results in 2023
LLLWLLWWWL Ranked no.5, Ruud achieved a 7-6 win-loss record in 2023. The Norwegian is playing in Estoril where he conquered the world no.147 Joao Sousa 4-6 6-2 6-2 and the world no.32 Sebastian Baez 6-3 6-0.
Casper Ruud will square off with the world no.80 Quentin Halys in the semifinal on Saturday at 5:30 pm on ESTÁDIO MILLENNIUM. The head to head is 1-1.
The Norwegian won 9 titles in his career: 1 on hard courts and 8 on clay courts. (See the list of his titles)
Ruud is scheduled to compete next in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 24th of April.
Andrey Rublev in 2023
Currently ranked no.6, Andrey played his last match on the 28th of March when he lost to world no.9 Jannik Sinner 6-2 6-4 in the 4th round in Miami (draw).
This year Andrey has managed to achieve a compiled 13-8 win-loss record. Andrey Rublev’s most significant accomplishment of this season was getting to the final in Dubai.
Rublev will play next in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 24th of April.
Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev squared off 6 times. Their current record is 4-2 for Rublev. The last time they fought against each other, Casper Ruud won 6-2 6-4 in the semifinal in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2022.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Daniil Medvedev in 2023
Currently the world no.4, Medvedev played his last match on the 2nd of April when he overcame world no.9 Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-3 in the final in Miami to win his 19th career title.
This year the Russian has a 29-3 record. Medvedev has won 4 titles in 2023 in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai and Miami. The Russian was the finalist in Indian Wells.
Karen Khachanov in 2023
At the moment ranked no.11, the Russian played his last match on the 31st of March when he was overcome by world no.4 Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 in the semifinal in Miami (draw).
This season the Russian has a 13-6 match record. Karen Khachanov’s best result of the present season was getting to the semifinal at the Australian Open and Miami.
Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov played each other 5 times. The head to head is 4-1 for Medvedev. Before, the last time they played each other, Daniil Medvedev won 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3 in the semifinal in Miami (Miami Open) on the 31st of March 2023.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev |
| Embed from Getty Images |
