“When Roger is in the stands, it’s extra special”: Ruud reveals why Laver Cup win over Paul was unique
ATP
Norway’s tennis star Casper Ruud has admitted that it was
special to win for Team Europe in the Laver Cup in the presence of legendary Roger
Federer in the stands.
The 24-year-old defeated America’s Tommy Paul in his first
outing in the competition in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-2.
After the match, Ruud was asked if the win was special, especially
because of the presence of someone like Federer, to which he responded by
saying: “Yes, it was.”
In the previous years, Team Europe was blessed by the presence
of players like Federer, former world number one Spain’s Rafael Nadal and current
world number one and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.
However, this year, their most high-profile player is Ruud
who has played in three Grand Slam finals.
Talking about whether he is the leader of the pack, the
current world number nine said that he is not sure if he is the leader but
stated that it is always to perform well in front of big names like Federer and
others.
“I don’t know if I’m the leader or not,” said the Oslo-born.
“I think Bjorn is the leader. He is our captain. It’s great to play besides
Bjorn. You know, when Roger is in the stands, it’s extra special. You want to
deliver. You want to play well. I tried to learn from last year. You know,
wasn’t easy.”
Ruud was part of the Team Europe when Federer last
played in the competition alongside Nadal and Djokovic.
He recalled that moment by stating: “I was like a kid in the
candy store being around the greatest, one of the four greatest players ever. That
was like one of the most fun weeks for me. I was really excited to be back in
Europe. A different team, but we’re young and we’re strong, and we’re ready for
the rest of the weekend.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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