Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev‘s approach to the French Open has been thrilling Although many tennis fans may have expected them to make it to the semifinals, Andy Roddick was taken aback by Ruud’s brilliant clay court strokes. And that too in a way that saw him savagely criticize himself for undermining the Norwegian star’s candidacy for the French Open title.

The American in his podcast ‘Served Up with Andy Roddick’, talked about how he never thought of the Norwegian tennis player making it to the semis, but it was not the player’s fault. In a conversation, while talking about Ruud, he praised the ATP star, and said, “But I consistently always, and I’m an a**hole for it, I consistently underestimate Casper Ruud, as we all do. We all act like he’s a visitor to the semis and finals of grand slams and we are fu**ing wrong.”

Ruud lost to the King of Clay Rafael Nadal in the 2022 finals, then Novak Djokovic in 2023. His image has been understandably of such a player who makes it to the finals but never wins. And that, per Roddick, is the fatal mistake.

Further, he added, “How many times does he have to do it before an asshole like me, doesn’t pick Zverev in the semis, it’s at least one more time. but at one of these points, I’m gonna learn but listen, Casper, I would worry if some people were getting the day off I don’t worry about him I think he will show up.”

The 25-year-old tennis star was supposed to play Novak Djokovic before going to the semifinals, but he pulled out of the tournament because of an injury. Still, he has already made tennis history in Norway by being the first to reach multiple landmarks.

As the first Norwegian to win an ATP Tour title, participate in a Nitto ATP Final, and make it to both an ATP Masters 1000 final and a Grand Slam final, Casper Ruud cemented his legacy in the sport of tennis. Ruud made appearances in the Grand Slam finals in Roland-Garros in 2022 and 2023, as well as the US Open in 2023. His path to the ATP Masters 1000 final took place in Miami in 2022. However, this is not the first time he will face Alexander Zverev on the big stage.

Will Casper Ruud sustain his dominating run in the French Open semifinals?

Ruud defeated Zverev in the quarterfinals of the previous year, showing remarkable form, to book his place in his third Grand Slam final. He takes on Zverev at the same stage in 2024, and fans are hoping for another exciting matchup. Ruud is expected to be the more experienced of the two as they get ready to face off at Court Philippe Chatrier.

He talked about his thought process and said, “That’s the kind of mentality that has been working for me. I know if the opponents want to beat me, they’re going to have to play really good tennis for at least three full sets, and I’m going to try to make it tough for them.”

The 27-year-old’s journey to the semifinals has been difficult even without the bonus of a quarterfinal walkover; two of his matches have gone to five sets, but it will be interesting to witness what happens in the semis and whether he will make his place in the finals. What are your thoughts? Do let us know in the comment section below.