Fans often view winning tennis tournaments as an easy feat, but Casper Ruud is speaking out against what may seem to be its less glamorous side. Behind the spotlight lies an exhausting routine of practices and an unpredictable competition schedule with few breaks for rest between matches – added with adapting to new venues on tour such as this week’s Rio Open events can present athletes with significant hurdles that must be navigated before competing at their best level.
Ruud is calling attention to the challenges awaiting players at South American tournaments such as Brazil Open. Through his communications, he urges fans to honor and appreciate players as they face even higher heat levels in South American venues.
Ruud recently expressed his respect for fellow competitors gearing up for the Rio Open, highlighting the event as one of the ATP tour’s most demanding physical challenges. His comments were made amidst preparations for another tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, following a challenging final at the Dallas Open against Denis Shapovalov. He pointed out expected temperatures at the Rio Open that could reach 37 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit), underscoring the extreme conditions players are facing.
Rio de Janeiro is currently grappling with a severe heatwave, with temperatures feeling like they’re hitting 44°C (111°F). The city has issued red alerts across nearly 3,000 towns, advising people to avoid sun exposure and to stay hydrated. Despite this, the city’s events, including the Carnival, are continuing with necessary safety measures. February is notably the hottest month in Rio, presenting an additional challenge for participants of the Rio Open.
Since its inception in 2014, the Rio Open has been a pivotal event in South American tennis, drawing around 65,000 spectators to the Jockey Club Brasileiro. It stands as the continent’s only ATP 500 event and has hosted legends like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Ruud himself has achieved success at this venue, reaching the semifinals in 2017, although he won’t be competing there this year.
Ruud has not only shown support for fellow ATP player Jannik Sinner during an ongoing doping controversy; WADA announced a three-month ban for him following an accidental anti-doping rule violation, leading to various reactions among players – but Ruud remains staunchly behind Sinner despite this, affirming his faith in both their character and future in sports.
Ruud’s actions and words demonstrate his genuine care for his colleagues on tour as they navigate controversies and rigorous tournaments together. Ruud stands out amongst tennis’ community as a notable figure due to his loyal support from fellow competitors on tour – an admirable quality in any sportsman!