"You can learn determination from him": Casper Ruud draws on Nadal lessons before defending Madrid crown
ATPWednesday, 22 April 2026 at 18:30
Casper Ruud returns to the Madrid Open with a clear reference point: the legacy of Rafael Nadal and the challenge of defending the biggest title of his career. The Norwegian, who lifted his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Madrid last season, arrives with renewed perspective after preparing at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca.
That preparation has shaped both his physical and competitive approach. Ruud openly framed Nadal as the benchmark on clay, describing him as “in a league of his own,” while using that influence as motivation ahead of a rare scenario in his career: defending a Masters 1000 title for the first time.
Madrid represents a critical test of that evolution. Nadal himself is a five-time champion at the Caja Magica, one of the defining figures in the tournament’s history, and Ruud’s attempt to defend his title places him within a demanding lineage of clay-court specialists who have succeeded in the Spanish capital.
The context of his return is also defined by recent uncertainty. After retiring in Monte-Carlo due to injury, Ruud arrives in Madrid needing to confirm both his physical condition and competitive rhythm, with an opening match against Jaume Munar or Alexander Shevchenko set to provide an immediate benchmark.
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Recovery, form and the demands of defending
Ruud addressed his physical state directly, confirming that his recovery had progressed positively after concerns following Monte-Carlo. The Norwegian reached the Round of 16, where he was facing Felix Auger-Aliassime — but ended up retiring while playing the second set (5-7, 2-2).
"I'm happy to say I'm fully recovered. I was a bit worried at first, I thought Madrid would be tough. But I've had good days of recovery,” the former world No. 2 said in an interview with ATP Tour. “I spent a week in Mallorca, training at Rafa's academy and working on fitness off the court. I'm really pleased to be here, ready to compete again"
One year earlier, Ruud had precisely defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final, an unexpected championship match in the middle of the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner at Masters 1000 level at the time. Ruud was the one who took advantage of the opportunity created by their absence in Madrid in 2025, and ended up lifting his first Masters 1000 title.
Nadal influence and clay-court identity
The role of Nadal in Ruud’s preparation extends beyond training. Their interaction in Mallorca provided a direct reference point for managing both expectations and performance on clay, particularly in the context of defending a major title.
"Rafa has encouraged me to carry on and give my best. You can't ask any more of a player. Rafa has won so many big titles on clay, I could never compare myself to him,” Ruud mentioned regarding his days at the Rafa Nadal Academy. “He's in a league of his own on this surface.”
“If there's one thing you can learn from him, it's determination. He never gave up, and he was able to win many matches without being at his best because he was so well prepared physically and mentally."
Ruud’s experience against Nadal, including their meeting in the 2022 Roland Garros final — a dominant straight-sets win for Nadal — has reinforced the margins required at the highest level on clay.
"There are so many things you can learn from Rafa. This time, we didn't spend much time together on court. He encouraged me to keep going and told me I have plenty to fight for in the coming weeks."
Sinner, absences and the competitive field
The Madrid draw is shaped by the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, shifting attention toward players arriving with momentum. That includes Jannik Sinner, who is targeting his fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 title and already secured the Monte-Carlo Masters title a couple of weeks ago.
"It's sad that Carlos [Alcaraz] and Novak [Djokovic] aren't here, but plenty of players are coming into the tournament in good form,” the three-time Grand Slam finalist said. “Jannik [Sinner] is here and could achieve something historic if he wins, Arthur Fils is coming off a win in Barcelona. There's also a young Spaniard, Rafael Jodar, he's a fantastic player and will be a big name in the future. There are plenty of players to enjoy."
The Norwegian needs at least to produce a deep run if he wants to avoid a significant drop in the rankings. An early defeat could see him fall outside the Top 25 — his lowest ranking since 2021.
Path to the title – Casper Ruud, Madrid 2025
| Round | Opponent | Opponent Ranking (at the time) | Result |
| R64 | Arthur Rinderknech | No. 76 | 6-4, 6-3 |
| R32 | Sebastian Korda | No. 24 | 6-3, 6-3 |
| R16 | Taylor Fritz | No. 4 | 7-5, 6-4 |
| QF | Daniil Medvedev | No. 10 | 6-3, 7-5 |
| SF | Francisco Cerúndolo | No. 21 | 6-4, 7-5 |
| Final | Jack Draper | No. 6 | 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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