Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis star and two-time French Open finalist, suffered a shocking defeat at Roland Garros in 2025, falling in the second round to world No. 41 Nuno Borges in a lopsided 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0 upset. The seventh seed, who had been a consistent force on the Parisian clay with finals in 2022 and 2023 and a semifinal in 2024, struggled with a leg injury that hampered his movement, leading to his earliest exit from the tournament since 2018. “I realised he wasn’t moving too well to the sides,” Borges said after the match, noting how he capitalized on Ruud’s physical struggles by opening up the court and playing aggressively. The loss not only ended Ruud’s hopes of capturing his maiden Grand Slam title but also triggered a significant slide in the ATP rankings, with the 26-year-old set to drop from No. 8 to No. 13, exiting the top 10 for the first time since November 2023.
Ruud entered the 2025 French Open as a legitimate title contender, buoyed by a strong clay-court season. His victory at the Madrid Open in May 2025, where he defeated Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to claim his first Masters 1000 title, marked a career milestone and propelled him back into the top 10. “It has been a good clay season for me,” Ruud had said earlier in the tournament, reflecting on his confidence after a straight-sets win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the first round. His 14-2 record at Roland Garros since 2022 and a 73.2% win rate on clay underscored his prowess on the surface, with his topspin-heavy forehand and exceptional stamina making him a formidable opponent. Yet, against Borges, Ruud’s game unraveled after a competitive first set. The Portuguese player, who notched his first top-10 win and only his second victory at Roland Garros, dominated with 51 winners and just 21 unforced errors compared to Ruud’s 38.
The match on Court Suzanne-Lenglen began with promise for Ruud, who took the first set 6-2 with his signature clay-court mastery. However, a noticeable dip in mobility, later revealed to be a left leg injury requiring a medical timeout after the third set, shifted the momentum. Borges, fresh off a five-set battle in the first round, seized the opportunity, winning 12 of the final 13 games. “I thought, if I stay aggressive I will have a good chance,” Borges said, highlighting his strategy of exploiting Ruud’s reduced lateral movement. The final two sets—a 6-1, 6-0 rout—marked a humbling defeat for Ruud, who had been hailed as a potential champion by analysts like Carlos Moya, who included him among his top four favorites for the title.
The rankings drop is a significant blow for Ruud, who had spent 113 consecutive weeks in the top 10 from September 2021 to November 2023. His 750-point loss from last year’s semifinal run, coupled with this early exit, has pushed him to No. 13 in the ATP live rankings. “This is one of the biggest tournaments for me and for everyone every year,” Ruud had said, emphasizing Roland Garros’s importance to his career. His previous deep runs—finals losses to Rafael Nadal in 2022 and Novak Djokovic in 2023, and a semifinal defeat to Alexander Zverev in 2024—had solidified his reputation as a clay-court titan. Yet, this defeat, compounded by a second-round exit at the Australian Open earlier in 2025, highlights the challenges of maintaining consistency at the highest level.
Off the court, Ruud’s resilience has been a defining trait. Earlier in the season, he opened up about overcoming mental burnout, crediting psychological support for his Madrid triumph. “I felt a bit like I was running in a hamster wheel that never got anywhere,” he admitted, reflecting on his struggles before seeking help. His engaging personality, often showcased through witty social media responses, has endeared him to fans, but the physical toll of the 2025 season, including a rib injury in Madrid, may have contributed to his vulnerability in Paris. Borges, meanwhile, celebrated a career milestone, reaching the third round of a major for the first time. “It’s a big milestone for me,” he said, expressing pride in his performance.
As Ruud looks to regroup, his focus will shift to the grass and hard-court seasons, with events like the BNP Paribas Nordic Open, where he’s set to compete, offering a chance to rebuild momentum. Despite this setback, his 13 ATP titles, including 12 on clay, and his trailblazing achievements for Norwegian tennis—such as becoming the nation’s first Masters 1000 champion—ensure that he remains a force to be reckoned with. For now, the tennis world buzzes with the shock of Borges’s upset, a reminder that even the most reliable clay-courters can falter on Roland Garros’s unforgiving stage.
# Casper Ruud’s French Open Shock and Rankings Slide
## A Stunning Upset
Casper Ruud, the seventh seed and two-time French Open finalist, suffered a stunning 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0 loss to world No. 41 Nuno Borges in the second round of the 2025 French Open. The defeat, Ruud’s earliest Roland Garros exit since 2018, was marred by a leg injury that required a medical timeout. “I realised he wasn’t moving too well to the sides,” Borges said, noting how he exploited Ruud’s limited mobility to secure his first top-10 win.
## A Clay-Court Titan Falters
Ruud entered as a title contender, fresh off a stellar clay season highlighted by his first Masters 1000 title in Madrid, where he defeated Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. “It has been a good clay season for me,” he said after a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas. His 14-2 Roland Garros record since 2022 and 73.2% clay win rate made him a favorite, but Borges’s 51 winners and aggressive play overwhelmed him in the final sets.
## Rankings Repercussions
The loss will see Ruud drop from No. 8 to No. 13 in the ATP live rankings, exiting the top 10 for the first time since November 2023. The 750 points lost from his 2024 semifinal run compounded the impact. “This is one of the biggest tournaments for me,” Ruud had said, underscoring Roland Garros’s significance. His 113-week top-10 streak from 2021 to 2023 highlights the magnitude of this slide.
## Borges’s Breakthrough
Borges, reaching the third round of a major for the first time, celebrated a career milestone. “I thought, if I stay aggressive I will have a good chance,” he said, crediting his 21 unforced errors and eight break-point conversions. The Portuguese star, who upset Rafael Nadal in the 2024 Bastad final, tied their head-to-head at 1-1 after Ruud’s 2024 Los Cabos win.
## Looking Ahead
Ruud’s resilience, bolstered by overcoming mental burnout, as he shared—“I felt a bit like I was running in a hamster wheel”—will be key as he eyes recovery. With 13 ATP titles, including 12 on clay, and upcoming events like the BNP Paribas Nordic Open, Ruud remains a force, but this upset marks a rare stumble on his beloved clay.
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