Ruud has just landed in Norway after an eventful week. Now New York’s Arthur Ash Stadium, the world’s largest tennis arena, has been replaced by Håkons Hall in Lillehammer and the Davis Cup on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ruud lost in Sunday’s final at the US Open 1-3 in a set against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. In the final, not only is the Grand Slam title at stake, but the winner is also world number one. Ruud jumped from 7th to 2nd in the prestigious ATP rankings.

During the fall tournament, Ruud had 1010 ranking points to defend from last year. With his 5850 points, Ruud has 890 to Alcaraz (6740).

Alcaraz still have fewer points to defend than Ruud with 280 points at the end of the season.

– Even if I don’t finish last now or in the next six months, or not at all, I will be able to sleep well at night, but the goal is of course to reach last place, Ruud told NTB about the situation.

– It might happen in half a year or eight years for that matter, but one hopes that someone can achieve it, he added.

Experts believe in the first place

Rafael Nadal (5,810 points), Daniil Medvedev (5,065), Alexander Zverev (5,040), Stefanos Tsitsipas (4,810) and Novak Djokovic (3,570) are also competing to celebrate New Year’s Eve as world number one.

“It’s even more on top now than it was for a number of years, you have three (Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) who have dominated for several years and who have more points than everyone else,” said Ruud.

Now starting a season where there are mostly indoor hardcourt matches. Discovery tennis expert Christer Francke believes first place is a real possibility for Ruud.

– It’s very possible. He has improved a lot on hard courts. Now it remains to be seen how good he is on hard court inside, because it goes faster. But he got faster. “It will be interesting to see an indoor tournament this fall,” Francke told NTB.

More opportunities

– You have to have a fantastic fall, Ruud admits, if you want to be successful.

Another hope for Ruud is to get off to a good start next year. The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, Ruud has not played this season and therefore has no points to defend. A minor injury this spring means he could get new opportunities to play in the very top position.

– It’s always been a goal to try to reach the last position. I think it might be in the future.