Not all that glitters is gold: Nielsen picks Ruud's deep chess game over flashy shots.

Former doubles Wimbledon champion Frederik Nielsen has defended the playing style of Norway’s tennis star Casper Ruud.

The 24-year-old had a difficult time in the second half of the season in 2023 which led to criticism about his playing style as well which was labelled as boring by some fans on social media in particular.

Nielsen, who won the Wimbledon doubles title in 2012, was recently quoted in a report where he defended the playing style of the current world number 11.

“He is well-considered,” he said. “I’m also the kind of person who enjoys watching smart and intelligent tennis, which he does incredibly well. Sure, he may not always be the most spectacular, but it’s also not productive to be spectacular just for the sake of it. If you only hit hard for the sake of hitting hard, then it doesn’t really matter.”

“I certainly don’t believe that Casper Ruud’s playing style will be a disadvantage for him in his future endeavours. It´s impossible to claim that when he has reached three out of the last five Grand Slam finals.

“I think Casper Ruud is a really talented player, and I actually enjoy watching him, even if not every shot is spectacular. There is purpose behind everything he does.”

Nielsen further went on to back Ruud to become the first Norwegian men’s player to win a major tournament in the near future.

“I certainly don’t believe that Casper Ruud’s playing style will be a disadvantage for him in his future endeavours,” he said. “It´s impossible to claim that when he has reached three out of the last five Grand Slam finals.

“I think Casper Ruud is a really talented player, and I actually enjoy watching him, even if not every shot is spectacular. There is purpose behind everything he does.”