Casper Ruud picks who was tougher to face in a Grand Slam final – Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal

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Casper Ruud has reached the French Open final twice in his career, coming up short on both occasions.

Ruud, 25, reached the French Open final in 2022 and 2023, losing to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the respective finals.

The Norwegian suffered straight-set defeats in both years, but reaching those finals helped establish himself as one of the best clay court players on the ATP Tour.

Ruud lost in this year’s Monte Carlo Open final, before avenging his defeat a week later by taking down Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his biggest title to date at the Barcelona Open.

Since then Ruud has struggled for form and is locked in a tough battle to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin.

Ahead of the Basel Open, where Ruud will be looking to pick up some much-needed points, he looked back on his two French Open Finals.

Casper Ruud reveals why Novak Djokovic was the easier French Open Final opponent

Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Ruud revealed that Djokovic was easier to play against than Nadal in the French Open final.

“French Open finals have been tough,” he said. “Novak was more playable as he doesn’t hit those stupid heavy shots, like from side to side.

“Novak is more playable as you can rally with him without him necessarily ripping a winner or torturing you from the baseline.”

Looking back, Ruud recognises the opportunities he should have taken against Djokovic in their 2023 encounter.

“I was up a break in the first set and it was 5-4, 0-30 on his serve.

“We had a rally and I played a heavy forehand cross down to his forehand and he hit it semi-late, a little down the line and it clipped the net and rolled over.

“If that stays in the net maybe you get the first set and it could’ve been different.

“But then I lost the first set 7-6 after like 90 minutes and then from there it was one more break each set. It was more playable and also more enjoyable. But two tough opponents!”

Ruud went on to lose the final 7-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Will Casper Ruud ever win big titles in tennis?

Whilst losing in Grand Slam finals to the likes of Djokovic and Nadal is more than understandable, Ruud’s record in big matches does leave a lot to be desired.

The Norwegian finally broke through to win his first title above ATP 250 level earlier this year in Barcelona at the eighth time of asking.

In comparison, Ruud has a stellar record in ATP 250 finals where he has won 11 of his 15 finals.

This has helped the 25-year-old establish himself as a mainstay in the ATP top ten, but has many fans questioning whether he’ll ever be the man for the big occasion.

Getting over the hump in Barcelona this year could well have been the first step for Ruud, but a lacklustre season after that isn’t a promising sign.

The 2025 clay court season could well be a sliding doors moment in Ruud’s career, as if he can pick up a Masters 1000 title, or potentially even the French Open title, then he will finally silence the critics.

Casper Ruud will begin his Basel Open campaign against recent Antwerp Open champion Roberto Bautista Agut on Wednesday.