– Djokovic does not win easily – VG

Casper Ruud is set for what is likely to be the Norwegian tennis match of all time against superstar Novak Djokovic on Sunday at 14.

And before the great Norwegian tennis match, Father Christian Ruud noted that Djokovic was not at the top, when the Serb was periodically pressured by German Dominik Koepfer in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Italy. The Serbian eventually won the match, but did not keep up with the tennis star.

– It will be difficult to win. But Djokovic didn’t play his best tennis. If Djokovic hits bad and Casper hits, there are opportunities. But it is a difficult task, says Christian Ruud to VG.

Novak Djokovic continues his unbeaten streak of matches in a very special tennis season, where he was also ruled out at the US Open in early September.

But Ruud points out that even the world’s number one winning streak must be snapped once again.

He has been surprised by his son’s performance in the tournament in Italy and is looking forward to his son’s meeting with the star player.

– It’s also his first Masters 1000 semi-final. I think Casper is looking forward and I hope he has his nerves under control. If he plays the best he can, I think it will be a difficult match. I don’t think I will win easily if Casper plays well, says Ruud.

Ruud beat world number eight Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals in three sets on Saturday, before it became clear that Djokovic would be the opponent.

– He is one of the best tennis players of all time. That will be my biggest challenge. I just have to lower my shoulders. I have reached the semifinals, which is a new step for me, said Casper Ruud at the press conference after his quarterfinals.

In an interview on Eurosport, Djokovic also pointed out that he is the favorite against Ruud if you look at the ranking.

But Djokovic was very frustrated during the quarterfinals on Saturday:

Dad Christian Ruud is the Norwegian who has gone the furthest in the Grand Slam with his fourth round match at the Australian Open in 1997. It is the Norwegian tennis achievement of all time in the four biggest tournaments in the world. But Christian Ruud believes that his son’s semi-final against Djokovic is more important.

– Semifinals in Masters 1000 I would say that it is better. She’s clearly beating my fourth-round match. He also gets to know the world champion. Federer, Djokovic and Nadal are the best of all time and it’s hard to see who will take that title in the end, they have dominated tennis for the last 10-12 years. It’s fun for Casper, says Ruud, who says the goal several years ago was for the son to meet the biggest stars at games.

Casper Ruud met the level of the star trio in battle for the first time during the French Open last year. There he lost to Roger Federer.

But now he meets the highest ranked player in the world.

– How can you beat Djokovic?

– The forehand must be good, it must serve well and move well. The backhand must be good too. If Djokovic doesn’t have his best day and Casper has the flow, he has a chance, says Ruud.

He believes his son gained confidence through several victories at the US Open and that he now has the flow while also playing on his self-confidence. This has resulted in several victories.

Now Casper Ruud will also be seeded at the French Open, which takes place at the end of September. He will be in the top 30 in the next ATP ranking.

– He will be seeded at the French Open and that is positive. So you don’t have to face Djokovic and Nadal in the first round, but there are still a lot of players between 30 and 100 in the world that you can know are in good shape. It is not guaranteed to reach 3-4. you only hang around because they sow you, says Ruud.