The Finn was ranked World No.410 last June but won four ATP Challenger trophies to rise to the cusp of the Top 100.

“It all went pretty fast in the end. It wasn’t the easiest year from the start,” said Ruusuvuori, who struggled with some health issues at the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. “I learned all the things you have to do at that level… I started winning some matches and then I got the first tournament win and then another one. In the end, it rolled quite well. It was a lot of work to get there, but it was a great, great year overall.”

Ruusuvuori grew up watching Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and spent his off-season at the Rafael Nadal Academy. He even got to train with Nadal once in Mallorca.

“It’s something really different, the way he hits the ball and how he keeps the practice so intense. It’s something I’d never experienced and it’s one of the best memories I have on the tennis court,” Ruusuvuori said.

He won his first ATP match in Montpellier this year, and was gaining momentum before the Tour was cancelled due to COVID-19. With the season set to resume, Ruusuvuori is hoping to show the world what he can do. He is scheduled to compete at the US Open, and the Finn seems excited to make his Grand Slam debut.

“I’m just excited to get back to official matches,” Ruusuvuori said. “We’ve practiced a lot now, so it’ll be nice to get back to playing.”

Furthermore, he has no doubt about what he wants to achieve on the tennis court.

“A Grand Slam win,” Ruusuvuori said. “That’s a pretty easy question.”

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