"I'm yet to play my best tennis of my career": Red-hot Casper Ruud still has 'more to bring' as Rome run continues

Casper Ruud has chimed that he still has more to bring in his career after a recent stint which saw the Norwegian seal Madrid and he is now into the Quarter-FInals of the Rome Open.

Ruud saw off Jaume Munar hours after being kept in until midnight without playing and will return tomorrow in order to face Jannik Sinner battling not only him but the Italian crowd.

"I didn't have the highest first serve percentage in but when I got in I won a lot of points and I only faced two break points in the whole match so didn't need my first serve really today. Tried to dominate as much as possible, I've played Jaume two times already this year and he's dangerous if you give him too much time," he said on Tennis Channel.

"He's creative, he can hit dropshots, good points and I tried to keep him back in the court. He's also good from there, he can come up with some good passing shots. Happy with the win straight sets.

"It was a long day yesterday, we were the last match on the fourth round not to get to play. Got home last night and let all emotions and focus got and be ready for today."

But while he is playing well, he doesn't see what he is producing right now as being his best. This in a mirroring image from the past few months when he has barely found any form.

Usually a clay court expert, he is back on form on his favoured surface. "I would've told you three weeks ago before Madrid that I'm yet to play my best tennis of my career. I say the same right now. Madrid happened and it was an amazing tournament and win for me but I still feel there is more to bring. But definitely it's good stacking up some wins on the clay. Since Roland Garros last year, I had a pretty rough stretch with not that many wins. Really important period of the season for me and hopefully I can push through the last few days in Rome and last few weeks of clay before we move onto grass."

He now moves onto a tie with Jannik Sinner and he said that he is not a poor clay court player and his results show that.

"It will be tough nonetheless. He's had a tremendous couple of years. He's had a great clay court season, semi-finals of Monte-Carlo, Quarters of Madrid (in 2024). Semi-finals of Roland Garros. He can play on this surface. It could be a fun match, I got a taste of the Italian crowd with Matteo and tomorrow will be even crazier."