Casper Ruud is back in the headlines after an electrifying 6-3, 7-6(3) win over Lorenzo Sonego at the Stockholm Open. His victory not only secured him a spot in the quarter-finals but also signaled a much-needed comeback after a rough patch during the Asian swing. Early exits from the China Open and Shanghai Masters had left Ruud struggling to regain his form. But now, the Norwegian powerhouse seems to have found his rhythm once again.

Yet, Ruud’s impact extends far beyond his on-court performance. Known for his candid takes on the state of tennis, he often uses his podcast and interviews to shed light on key issues within the sport. Unafraid to “spill the tea,” Ruud is never one to shy away from controversy.

As he prepares to face Tallon Griekspoor in Sweden, the tennis world is buzzing with debate over the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, which has drawn several top players, including Jannik Sinner. Sinner, who is competing in Riyadh, didn’t hold back when criticizing the timing of the event, lamenting that it forced him to skip the Vienna Open—a tournament he’d hoped to play. The scheduling clash has sparked fiery discussions among players and analysts alike, making Ruud’s path in Stockholm even more intriguing as the tennis world watches how these narratives unfold.

During a press conference after his victory over Sonego, Casper faced questions about his absence at Riyadh. Notably, he has received offers to play in Saudi Arabia before, but this time it seems like a decision was made for him, “I didn’t get an offer from Six Kings Slam, but I’ve had offers in the past and I’ve chosen not to go.”

The Norwegian weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Saudi Arabia’s growing reputation for “sportswashing.” Especially in light of the Six Kings Slam. He stated, “Of course, it’s a controversial country, but there are other countries we travel to that are also controversial.” But holding nine years worth of experience in this sport, he pointedly referenced China, saying, “You can certainly discuss China and human rights there, but we go there every year.” 

All said and done, it’s a bit disappointing that Casper Ruud won’t be joining the big names at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. However, he has bigger plans in mind. He is focusing on achieving his goals for the season.

The Norwegian has set ambitious targets for this season

Currently ranked seventh in the Race to Turin, where the top eight players qualify for the ATP Finals in November. After his hard-fought victory against Lorenzo Sonego in Stockholm, Ruud described the win as vital for both his confidence and his aspirations for the season, “The match today might have decided whether I am going to qualify or not. We don’t know that, but in the end, it could be, you know. Now, I just have to win as many matches as possible to qualify.”

Casper Ruud’s determination is clear as he aims to build on his past wins—he’s ready to take it to the next level. As the highest-ranked Norwegian player, he achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2 in 2022. He qualified for the ATP Finals that year, ultimately finishing the season as the runner-up. His next match is set to take place in the quarter-finals of the Stockholm Open against Griekspoor. Only time will tell if he will make it out with a victory.