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Monte-Carlo Masters: Casper Ruud Warns ‘Goliath’ Novak Djokovic of His Underdog Prowess in a Rather Sincere Message

Published 04/13/2024, 5:52 AM EDT

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It’s a battle of wills, a test of skill, and a journey into the depths of one’s own determination when Novak Djokovic steps on the court. Fighting the world’s number one is more than just playing a game; it’s an experience that transcends competitiveness for any opponent, be they a seasoned pro or a rising star. Now that Casper Ruud is ready to face him in the Monte-Carlo semi-final, he shared a sincere message for the serve with a hidden warning under the line.

Recently, after defeating Ugo Humbert in the quarterfinal round, Ruud opened up about how he has literal knowledge of Djokovic’s previous performances in the same tournament. During a press conference when asked about the “Tough task(semifinal) against Novak Djokovic. Has he looked vulnerable this week?” Casper replied, “Not gonna call him vulnerable…This is the Masters; he had less success in his career even though he’s won it twice. I would like to have those numbers as well.” 

Moreover, he also shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s performance in the earlier quarterfinals. Which demonstrated his acute knowledge of the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s history at this particular Masters event. “It’s his(Novak’s) 77th Masters SF so you can imagine what a crazy..”

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Nevertheless, while talking about his competition against the 36-year-old tennis legend, he also gave a hidden warning regarding what the competition would look like. “Yeah.. not bad 😂 I can’t find the words to describe it. I’m gonna do my best. I’m gonna play loose and happy….I have some Norwegian friends that are gonna come and cheer me on. I’m gonna enjoy the match”

The 25-year-old tennis player finds motivation for the next match against Djokovic in the story of David and Goliath, which is frequently connected to conquering difficult obstacles. “It’s kind of David against Goliath.” He perceives himself as the underdog going up against a strong foe, much like David did against the enormous Goliath.

The intensity and importance he gives to the impending match on the tennis court are demonstrated by this allegory from the book of Samurai. Not only that, the last time both of them went against each other was the time when the Serb won his 23rd Grand Slam title last year at the French Open. At that time, the Norwegian tennis player opened up about looking at Djokovic as an inspiration on the court with all the achievements he has earned.

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Facing Djokovic is “tough to explain” for Ruud 

The 25-year-old tennis star, after losing the French Open title to the number-one-ranked tennis player, applauded him and hailed him as an inspiration. With Novak’s amazing record-breaking performance and achievement after breaking Rafael Nadal’s Grand Slam record, Ruud is left speechless.

“Another day, another record for you. It is tough to explain what you do. You’re an inspiration. Congrats to you, your family, team, and everyone involved.” But now that the time has changed, with the part being an inspiration, he is ready to go against Djokovic, giving his best on the tennis court.

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Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the upcoming Monte-Carlo semi-final face-off? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash, tennis writer and resident analyst at EssentiallySports isn't just a sports journalist; she's a storyteller who found her true calling in tennis content. It is something she seamlessly integrates into both her professional and personal realms. Having professional certifications in content and digital marketing, Pratishtha has made it a habit to hone her skills as a quality journalist.
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Edited by:

Deepanshi Bajaj