Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis star and clay-court maestro, stands on the cusp of glory at the 2025 Madrid Open, having battled his way to his first final at the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event. Yet, as the 26-year-old prepares to face either Jack Draper or Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday, May 4, a nagging rib injury has cast a shadow over his participation. The world number 15, who has not dropped a set in Madrid, revealed that the injury surfaced during warm-ups for his semifinal clash against Francisco Cerundolo, leaving him uncertain about his ability to compete in the championship match. Despite his resilience, Ruud’s candid admission of a “not ideal” situation has fans and analysts holding their breath.
Ruud’s journey to the Madrid final has been a testament to his tenacity and clay-court prowess. Entering the tournament on the heels of a disappointing quarterfinal exit in Barcelona, the two-time French Open finalist rediscovered his spark in the Spanish capital. He powered through early rounds with straight-set victories over Arthur Rinderknech, Sebastian Korda, and world number four Taylor Fritz. In the quarterfinals, Ruud secured his first career win over Daniil Medvedev, a 6-3, 7-5 triumph that marked his seventh consecutive ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal victory on clay, joining legends Guillermo Coria and Rafael Nadal in an elite club. “I came here after a tough defeat in Barcelona… I worked a little bit with myself and especially the mental aspect,” Ruud reflected, crediting his renewed focus for his Madrid resurgence.
The semifinal against Cerundolo, however, tested Ruud’s physical limits. Just three games into the match, he felt a sharp pain in his rib area, prompting a medical timeout for treatment on his upper back and chest. “I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish the match, honestly,” Ruud admitted post-match, revealing that the discomfort flared during warm-ups and intensified with every serve. Despite the pain, he saved 15 of 18 break points and clinched a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 victory, showcasing the grit that has defined his career. His physiotherapist later “cracked [his] back up,” providing temporary relief, but Ruud remains cautious. “The rib area is kind of sensitive. When you have pain there it can get pretty sharp,” he noted, underscoring the precariousness of his condition.
The injury’s timing is particularly cruel. Ruud, who will return to the top 10 of the ATP rankings on Monday thanks to his Madrid run, is chasing his first Masters 1000 title and his 13th career trophy, 11 of which have come on clay. The final represents a golden opportunity, especially with top players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic absent from the later stages. Yet, the physical toll of his semifinal performance has left Ruud uncertain. “Hopefully it’s nothing too serious,” he said, his optimism tempered by the reality of a sensitive injury that could flare up under the demands of a high-stakes final.
Ruud’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. Early exits at the Australian Open and during the North American hard-court swing saw him slip out of the top 10 for the first time in years. His clay-court campaign started unevenly, with a third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin in Monte Carlo. But Madrid has been a turning point, reigniting the “fire” he felt was missing. “I’ve been playing with good intensity [in Madrid] and I would like to keep it going,” he said, a sentiment that now hinges on his body’s cooperation.
As Ruud awaits further medical evaluation, the tennis world is buzzing with anticipation and concern. His clay-court pedigree—highlighted by back-to-back French Open finals in 2022 and 2023—makes him a formidable contender, but the rib injury introduces a wildcard. The Madrid final, his third at the Masters 1000 level, could cement his resurgence or become another chapter in his history of near-misses, having lost his previous two finals in Miami (2022) and Monte Carlo (2021). “I felt it in nearly every shot, especially the serve,” Ruud said of the injury, a worrying sign for a player whose serve is critical on clay’s slower surfaces.
With Roland Garros just weeks away, Ruud’s health is paramount. A deep run in Madrid could set the tone for Paris, where he has twice fallen to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the final. For now, his focus is on recovery and preparation. “My physio took a look at it after and cracked my back up,” he shared, hinting at a plan to manage the injury conservatively. Whether he takes the court on Sunday or opts for caution, Ruud’s Madrid campaign has already proven his resilience, reminding the tennis world why he remains a clay-court titan.
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