Many fans might think that winning tournaments is a piece of cake, but Casper Ruud is here to set the record straight. It’s not just about the glory; it’s the grueling practice and relentless schedule that leave players little time to catch their breath before picking up the racket again. Add to that having to adjust to the different locations as per the schedule and you’ve got another hurdle to cross! Now, as the Rio Open approaches, Ruud warns that this tournament could be a tough challenge for these athletes.

The Australian Open was no walk in the park, especially with temperatures hitting 32 degrees Celsius (about 90 degrees Fahrenheit) this year, leaving players exhausted. But Ruud has a message for everyone: don’t underestimate the challenges awaiting players in South America! As the Rio Open approaches, he’s asking fans to show some love and understanding for the athletes braving the heat.

Taking to X, the 26-year-old – fresh off a tough final at the Dallas Open against Canadian Denis Shapovalov and currently playing in an exhibition tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico – shared his thoughts: “Put some respect to the names of all players competing at the @RioOpenOficial this week!! Possibly the toughest physical test you will find on the @atptour 🥵😧 Incredible effort!!🔥👏👏” Of course, he was giving a shoutout to fellow players like Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti, Nicolas Jarry, and home talent Joao Fonseca. And to add to the punchline, he added a screenshot of Apple’s weather app, which showed forecasted temps possibly reaching 37 degrees Celsius or 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rio de Janeiro is currently facing a severe heatwave, with perceived temperatures skyrocketing to a staggering 44°C (111°F). City officials issued red alerts across nearly 3,000 towns, urging residents and tourists to stay out of the sun and hydrate. Despite these sweltering conditions, Rio’s vibrant spirit remains unbroken, as events like the Carnival are all set to proceed with necessary precautions. But players beware: February is Rio’s hottest month of the year.

Since its start in 2014, the Rio Open has become a cornerstone of South American tennis, attracting around 65,000 fans at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. As South America’s only ATP 500 event, it has welcomed tennis legends like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in the past. And let’s not forget Ruud himself; he made waves here by reaching the semifinals in 2017 and is eager to showcase his talent once again. However, this year won’t see the Norwegian in action there.

Regardless, as he gears up for his next tournament, it seems like Ruud is in the spirit of supporting his ATP mates while they take on the challenges of the tour. And his concern isn’t limited to just them; he’s also showing his support for Jannik Sinner at a time when the tennis community is divided in their opinion on his doping controversy.

Casper Ruud supports Sinner after WADA delivers three-month ban verdict

On February 15, the tennis world was rocked when WADA announced Jannik Sinner would face a three-month ban, acknowledging his account of an inadvertent anti-doping rule violation. This decision ignited a firestorm of reactions, with some players questioning the fairness of the outcome. Players like Nick Kyrgios didn’t hold back, tweeting, “So WADA come out and say it would be a 1-2 year ban… Obviously, Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a three-month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost. Guilty or not? Sad day for tennis. Fairness in tennis does not exist.” Adding fuel to the fire, 3-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka declared, “I don’t believe in a clean sport anymore,” to which Kyrgios responded, “You and me both.”

Amidst the controversy, some players rallied behind Sinner. Casper Ruud being one of them, expressed his support: “I know Jannik very well. I’m with him. I think he’s a good guy. Of course, after this, he will still be the best player in the world.” French veteran Richard Gasquet, who was also in Guadalajara, echoed Ruud’s sentiments, saying, “Jannik is a great guy, he has a great personality and he is very nice on the court, he will be back soon, that’s the most important thing.”

While the debate on Sinner’s case seems to be ongoing, it’s refreshing to see Ruud’s positive energy. Now that continues to shine through  everywhere, whether it’s backing up his fellow athletes or asking fans to be nice to players during tough tournaments. If nothing else, it certainly makes him a standout figure on the tour. What do you think?