Casper Ruud will be looking to bounce back at the Italian Open after an unsuccessful title defence in Madrid.
Ruud fell to Alexander Blockx in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open, losing in straight sets to the 21-year-old Belgian, 6-4, 6-4.
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The Norwegian, a clay-court specialist, saw his first tournament campaign of 2026 on the surface come to an abrupt end in Monte-Carlo when he suffered a calf injury in his round-of-16 clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime.
He then picked up three wins in the Spanish capital, one of which was a thrilling comeback victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, during which he saved two match points.
Now in Rome for the third and final clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event of the year, Ruud says the Italian Open conditions will suit his game.
Casper Ruud speaks ahead of the 2026 Italian Open in Rome
Asked in an interview with Tennis TV what the key to getting the best out of the Rome conditions is, Ruud said: “I think just getting my kind of heavier forehand going.
“Seeing that the courts are a bit slower, it’s maybe easier to come around a few extra shots.
“From Madrid to here are probably the biggest differences that you will have in the clay court [season], going from a fast altitude, fast playing court to slower here in Rome.
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“And the clay is kind of rougher here, thicker and makes the ball really slow down. So it takes a few days to adjust, which I’m still doing, and I have a few more days, luckily to prepare and get ready for my first match.
“So I just find these conditions somewhat suiting my game well, and hopefully they can continue to do so these coming weeks.”
Casper Ruud addresses his unsuccessful title defence in Madrid
Reflecting on his clay swing so far, Ruud said: “I mean, [I’ve had] a couple of good wins and a bit unfortunate in Monte Carlo with a little bit of calf problem.
“And then, you know, in Madrid I just played someone who played better than me in the quarterfinal (Blockx). And that’s as simple as that.
“I think he, you know, executed a better match than myself and it didn’t go as I hoped in the quarterfinal there in Madrid, but that’s okay.
“I mean, you know, I had a quite dramatic match before (against Tsitsipas) and in a way should have maybe lost that match earlier or might have been on my way home earlier.
“So at least I got through that match and was able to pull a tough match like that in. And that gives me confidence for this week in Rome.
“Conditions are obviously quite different here and then this next month will be a lot to play for. So I’m just hoping I can come through, you know, healthy and fit and not have any injury issues. That’s the biggest hope and see where that takes me.”
Ruud will take on American star Zachary Svajda in his opening match at the Italian Open.
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