For the second time this year, Casper Ruud watched another player lift a grand slam trophy but he's looking at the positives.
Getting into the US Open final was an amazing achievement and he earned it with some spectacular triumphs along the way. Losing the final was a tough one but the Norwegian opted to focus on the positives because there are plenty.
He's number two in the ATP Rankings which he feels like, he deserves:
“I think it's deserving that after great results, both of us having good results throughout the year, we are 1 and 2 in the rankings tomorrow. I'm very proud of being No. 2. In a way it's a good thing because I can still chase the last spot."
He added:
“I'm proud of the match and the two weeks. I gave it my all. I left it all out on the court. Played some phenomenal tennis throughout the two weeks, probably my best tennis ever on this surface.”
On Alcaraz, Ruud said:
“He's one of these few rare talents that comes up every now and then in sports… He has shown incredible fighting spirit and will to win. He was down a match point a couple matches ago and was able to turn around and end up winning the tournament… He's riding that wave. At the moment he's the best player in the world in my eyes. He deserves that spot. I'm happy that we played each other in the final and that we played for the title and the world No. 1 spot."