In a thrilling showdown at the Caja Magica on May 4, 2025, Casper Ruud etched his name into tennis history, clinching his first ATP Masters 1000 title with a hard-fought 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Jack Draper in the Madrid Open final. The 26-year-old Norwegian, a clay-court maestro, overcame a spirited challenge from the 23-year-old British sensation, who was chasing his maiden clay title. Beyond the trophy, Ruud’s post-match reflections revealed deep respect for Draper’s burgeoning talent, hailing him as a formidable force across all surfaces. “Jack is an incredible player,” Ruud declared, his words carrying the weight of a competitor who had just been pushed to his limits. “There are no holes in Jack’s game. I think he will become more and more difficult to play on clay. He will be a threat. The sky is the limit for him.”
The final was a showcase of contrasting styles and relentless determination. Ruud, seeded 14th and ranked No. 15, entered the match as the underdog on paper, nursing a rib injury that nearly derailed his semifinal against Francisco Cerundolo. Yet, his clay-court pedigree—125 wins and 12 titles on the surface since 2020—shone through. Trailing 5-3 in the first set, Ruud unleashed a ferocious comeback, reeling off four straight games to snatch the opener, his forehand winners slicing through the Madrid air. Draper, ranked No. 6 and fresh off an Indian Wells title, responded with aggression in the second, breaking Ruud to level the match. The decider was a war of attrition, with Ruud’s critical break at 2-2 and a nerveless hold-to-love at 5-4 sealing the biggest triumph of his career. “It’s been a long time coming,” Ruud said, his voice brimming with relief. “This was one of the really big goals I dreamed about when I was young, so it’s an incredible feeling to accomplish it.”
Ruud’s admiration for Draper was evident throughout his remarks. The Briton, who soared to a career-high No. 5 post-tournament, had not dropped a set en route to the final, dispatching top players like Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Musetti with his punishing lefty forehand and versatile backhand. “Jack has been playing unbelievable all year, and especially in this tournament,” Ruud noted, acknowledging the challenge of facing a player in such scintillating form. “I knew that if I didn’t bring my A-plus game, I was going to be whooped around the court.” Ruud’s praise extended to Draper’s adaptability, a rare trait for a player once considered less comfortable on clay. “He’s become such an incredible player, on any surface now,” Ruud added, predicting that Draper’s all-court prowess would make him a perennial contender. “A player you’ve become on all surfaces. You’re a threat to everyone now. Doesn’t matter where. Doesn’t matter when.”
Draper, gracious in defeat, reciprocated the respect. “Congratulations Casper, you deserve this,” he said at the trophy ceremony. “You were braver than me in the key moments.” The loss, his first clay-court final, stung, but Draper saw it as fuel for growth. “This sport is brutal, but I think this loss will make me better,” he reflected, his eyes set on future battles. His Madrid run, which included a 6-2, 6-2 rout of Paul and a gritty tiebreak win over Musetti, silenced doubters who questioned his clay credentials. “I knew I was good on the clay,” Draper had said earlier, and his performance—backed by an 81% first-serve point win rate against Ruud—proved it.
For Ruud, the victory was a milestone after years of near-misses, including two French Open finals and two prior Masters 1000 final losses. “Even though I won today, my record in big finals is still not good, it’s 1-6,” he admitted, grounding his triumph in perspective. His path to the title, which included wins over Taylor Fritz and Daniil Medvedev, propelled him back into the top 10 at No. 7, setting the stage for a strong Roland Garros campaign. As he celebrated, Ruud’s words about Draper lingered—a testament to a rivalry in its infancy. With mutual respect and contrasting strengths, their Madrid clash was merely the opening chapter of what promises to be a compelling saga on the ATP Tour.
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