For Ruud, success came with an unexpected weight—a relentless cycle of pressure, expectations, and self-doubt. While the world saw a determined athlete pushing forward, he felt trapped in an exhausting routine, unable to escape the demands placed upon him.
Ruud recently shared his thoughts on his mental health struggles, revealing how the constant chase for improvement left him feeling stuck in an endless loop. “I felt like a hamster on its wheel,” he admitted, describing the suffocating nature of the grind. The effort to maintain top performance took its toll, both physically and emotionally, making it difficult to find joy in the sport he once loved.
He said, “I don’t want to go too deep into it, but the truth is, I’ve faced mental health challenges this year.
So, I sought professional help, and it made a big difference. I quickly noticed significant improvement—I think it’s great to have someone to talk to about my feelings.
Life in tennis isn’t easy, and I reached a point where I felt overwhelmed. Thankfully, I feel good about myself again, waking up with enthusiasm and a smile, and above all, I’m grateful I was honest with myself and realized I needed help.
I felt like a hamster in a wheel, constantly moving forward. The current schedule doesn’t allow for breaks; I needed to step out of that cycle and reflect on my life, my emotions, and the path I was on.
Now I’m back in the hamster wheel that the tour puts us in, but with a much better mindset. Tennis is far more complex than just hitting the ball well.”
“It’s a tough life in many ways, and it just got to a point where it felt like it was getting too much. But I really seeked help, and it’s been working.”
Casper Ruud opened up about navigating mental health challenges ❤️🩹#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/YB7ul1Dtop
— TENNIS (@Tennis) May 1, 2025
The conversation around mental health in high-performance industries has gained momentum in recent years, with more athletes, musicians, and professionals speaking openly about the impact of pressure. Ruud’s story highlights the reality that behind victories and achievements, individuals often fight battles invisible to the outside world.
Breaking away from the cycle has not been easy, but Ruud emphasizes the importance of seeking support and allowing himself moments to breathe. “Recognizing what I was going through was the first step,” he said. “Then, I had to learn how to be kinder to myself.” His journey is a reminder that mental well-being is just as vital as physical strength, and addressing struggles openly can be a powerful step toward healing.
Ruud in Madrid, ranking, and results in 2025
Now the world no.15, Casper has managed to achieve a composed 19-6 win-loss record in 2025. The Norwegian is currently having a run in Madrid where he overcame the world no.76 Arthur Rinderknech 6-3 6-4, the world no.24 Sebastian Korda 6-3 6-3, the world no.4 Taylor Fritz 7-5 6-4 and the world no.10 Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-5.
Casper Ruud will take on the world no.21 Francisco Cerundolo in the semifinal on Friday at 4:00 pm on MANOLO SANTANA STADIUM. The head to head is 5-3 for Cerundolo.
The Norwegian got to the final in Dallas (Dallas Open).
Ruud won 12 titles in his career: 1 on hard courts and 11 on clay courts. (See the list of his titles)
Ruud will play next in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 7th of May.
