"You're back again where I think you belong": Classy Casper Ruud lauds Stefanos Tsitsipas top 10 return after Monte-Carlo loss

Casper Ruud lost out in the final of the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters, but showed his class as ever by heralding Stefanos Tsitsipas after the Greek sealed a hat-trick of titles in the Monegasque region. He won 6-1, 6-4 against the Norwegian who as ever showed his threat on clay this week including a phenomenal win over Novak Djokovic.

Tsitsipas leaving the top 10 ended the run of single handed backhand dominance aside from Grigor Dimitrov charging back towards the higher echelons. But he will now return something which was at the centre of achievements for Ruud who also lauded his team for coming from all over to help out in the final.

“I’d like to congratulate Stef for winning Monte Carlo once again. You love this tournament. Very very well played all week. I know you fell out of top 10 a few weeks ago but you’re back again where I think you belong. You’re a fantastic player and especially on clay and Monte Carlo. It’s fantastic. Congratulations to you and your team," said Ruud post match.

“To my own team. Almost everyone here today.. still a couple missing. My team flew in from Spain, from Norway, to come and watch me. I’m sorry we couldn’t get the win this time. I feel like we’re getting closer to winning a big title. I’m looking forward to hopefully getting another chance. Continuing to work hard together and hopefully break that last barrier of winning a big tournament like this. Thank you.”