The 2024 season has been a rollercoaster for Casper Ruud, marked by impressive victories and challenging setbacks. Ruud’s year featured significant highlights, including the Barcelona Open and Geneva Open titles. However, it also included tough losses in key finals such as the Los Cabos Open, Mexican Open, and Monte Carlo Masters. He reached semifinals at the Estoril Open, the French Open, and the ATP Finals. The Norwegian finished the season with a 51-25 win-loss record and currently sits at world #6.
Casper Ruud – 2024 in review
A Mixed Season of Highs and Lows
For the 25-year-old Norwegian, 2024 began with challenges, including a third-round exit at the Australian Open against Cameron Norrie. Despite this rocky start, Ruud regained momentum, reaching the finals in Acapulco and Monte Carlo and securing titles in Barcelona and Geneva. His success on clay solidified his position as a contender heading into Roland Garros, where he reached the semifinals but was hampered by illness against Alexander Zverev.
However, his performance in other Grand Slams fell short of expectations, with a fourth-round exit at the US Open to eventual finalist Taylor Fritz and another early departure at Wimbledon. Ruud struggled in the latter half of the season, failing to reach a quarterfinal in seven consecutive tournaments.
Turning the Tide: Breakthroughs at the ATP Finals
A late-season twist confirmed Ruud’s place in the ATP Finals in Turin, thanks to Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal. Joining the top eight players in the year-end tournament, Ruud and Alex de Minaur secured their spots. Ruud’s addition marked the ‘end of an era’ as none of the Big Three secured their spot in the ATP Finals for the first time since 2001.
Ruud’s perseverance paid off at the ATP Finals, where he achieved a landmark victory, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, 6-1 7-5, in just over an hour. This win was particularly significant, marking Ruud’s first triumph over Alcaraz in five meetings. It also marked his 50th win of the season, a testament to his consistency and growth. Acknowledging Alcaraz’s health struggles, Ruud celebrated the victory as a critical boost in his campaign.
Ruud continued his strong form in his next group-stage match, defeating Andrey Rublev in three sets, 6-4 5-7 6-2. This win secured his position in the last four of the ATP Finals. Notably, Ruud has a history of success at the ATP Finals, reaching the semifinals in 2021, 2024 and the final in 2022. This year, he lost to eventual champion, Jannik Sinner, in the semifinals.
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
