Ruud lost in the final in the ATP playoffs

Casper Ruud had already made history by reaching the ATP play-off final, as the first ever Norwegian, but fell short against veteran Novak Djokovic.

– Thanks to everyone who drives me, motivates me and helps me every day. There have been a lot of ups, and of course a few downs this year. I’m already looking forward to next season, Ruud said after the final which marked the end of this year’s Tennis season.

Ruud’s family and famous guests, including Djokovic’s friend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, were in Turin to watch the final.

Prior to the match, Ruud had stated that “Djokovic on a good day is one of the wildest and toughest things you can face,” and he would experience it.

The Norwegian carried the confidence from yesterday’s semifinal win over Andrej Rubljov into the first set at the Pala Alpitour arena.

Djokovic won the first game, but Ruud equalized in the next. This is how the players followed one another, like cat and mouse throughout the first set, with three games empty in the middle.

Ruud defended well in duels and played well at times, but that didn’t last long.

The opening set went into a tiebreaker, and Ruud lost the final game. Djokovic finished it all with a fine forehand.

The Serb won the first set 7–5.

In the second set, Djokovic continued his solid game, leaving the Snarøya player out.

Ruud was slightly frustrated at 1-4 to Djokovic’s lead in the second set, but he matched the Serb’s high pace and reduced it to 2-4.

Djokovic won the next game when Ruud got a little too excited, and the Serb was one game away from taking the title.

It was Ruud’s job to survive the match, and he did.

When reading 3-5, you can see a bit of nervousness in Serbia. Ruud and Djokovic drew in the next game, but Ruud lost in a marathon ball that went back 36 times.

Djokovic thus received a match point. He sits beautifully with an ace in the middle. The Serb came off the last 6–3 win.

It was Djokovic’s sixth win in the ATP playoffs and he overtook Roger Federer as the tournament’s most successful player.

Ruud congratulated and took off his metaphorical hat for Djokovic and his difficult season following the final. He also made sure to thank his fans and girlfriend Maria.

The Norwegian has three titles from this year’s season, all on clay, from the Argentina Open, the 2022 Geneva Open and the Gstaad Swiss Open.