Casper Ruud knows Rafael Nadal very well having attended his academy in Spain and he revealed that they recently spoke after Nadal's announcements.
Rafael Nadal announced that he won't play at this year's Roland Garros due to injuries but he also announced that the 2024 season is likely going to be the last he will lever play. That news created shockwaves in the tennis community and like many Casper Ruud was very saddened by the way things unfolded.
Ruud and Nadal have a close friendship which started to develop when the Norwegian attended the Spaniard's academy. It only got stronger when they went on the South America tour last December and they also shared the court at Roland Garros in 2022. Nadal defeated Ruud in the final to win his 14th trophy there.
Speaking about Nadal in Paris, Ruud admitted that he has spoken with Nadal since he held his press conference explaining what he told him:
“I told him I hope he’ll be ready soon.. He didn't give me a clear answer to when he’d come back. But he said he's trying his best & he hopes to see me again soon. I guess it meant he was trying but didn't know when he was coming back”
As Ruud noted, Nadal didn't tell him when he could be back but there are some rumblings about a potential return this year. Nadal himself admitted that he would like to play for Spain once more in the Davis Cup finals so perhaps we see him back later this year when the Davis Cup Finals take place.
With Nadal and presumably Alcaraz in the squad, the country could possibly win it all. Nadal has led them to the trophy in the past and doing so once more would be a good send-off.
Casper Ruud spoke to Rafa Nadal recently: “I told him I hope he’ll be ready soon.. He didn't give me a clear answer to when he’d come back. But he said he's trying his best & he hopes to see me again soon. I guess it meant he was trying but didn't know when he was coming back”
