After narrowly missing out on Grand Slam glory twice at Roland Garros and slipping to No. 15 in the world last month, Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud recognized he was running on empty. Between 15 and 22 years old, Ruud had battled homesickness and on-court frustration—throwing rackets, tears and fits of anger that he chalked up to youthful volatility. But this spring, amid a grueling clay-court season, the 26-year-old became painfully aware he was suffering something far more serious: professional burnout.
Ruud reflected, “I felt like I was running in a hamster wheel that never got anywhere.” His performance slide in Monte Carlo and Madrid forced him to confront the truth: he could no longer soldier on without mental support. It was time to tap into the same psychological resources he had previously dismissed.
Reconnecting with a Childhood Coach
In a decisive pivot, Ruud reached out to the Norwegian mental coach who had guided him in his teenage years. “I didn’t necessarily always think that I would need help in that way, but I quickly realized that I benefited from it,” he explained. “It was a smart move by me to open up to someone, get help, and have different thoughts and views on things.”
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Within weeks of starting regular sessions, Ruud’s mindset shifted. He reestablished mental routines to manage stress, sharpen concentration, and rebuild confidence. The coach helped him turn setbacks into learning moments, rather than sources of self-doubt. Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist and former world No 2, described the experience as transformative: “I’m happy and proud that I dared to seek help and realized that that was necessary for me.”
Masters Glory Signals New Chapter
The benefits of Ruud’s openness became evident at the Madrid Open, where he captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title. Walking up the trophy podium, he acknowledged, “By allowing myself to receive help, everything changed quickly.” The win was both a personal vindication and a signal that Ruud’s career remains on an upward arc despite fierce competition from the 2000s-born cohort led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Ruud’s victory in Spain underlined the power of mental resilience. After rallying past top seeds, he reflected: “I felt supported, protected almost, like I had a force field around me that kept my head clear.” That clarity translated into aggressive shot selection and unwavering composure in pressure moments—qualities that had eluded him only weeks earlier.
Lessons from the Champions of the Past
Ruud’s generation has grown up idolizing the Big Three—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—making it psychologically daunting to imagine dethroning those legends. “You have this tremendous respect from your childhood, watching them week in and week out,” he said. “Then you’re there yourself, thinking: ‘What am I going to do to challenge them that they haven’t faced already?’”
Experiencing Djokovic’s steely focus and Nadal’s clay-court mastery firsthand instilled in Ruud both admiration and a sense of inferiority. Overcoming that mental barrier was a major milestone. By seeking professional guidance, Ruud demonstrated that even elite athletes must sometimes step off the court to reignite their competitive fire.
Clapping Back and Speaking Out
Ruud’s competitive spirit extends beyond the baseline. An active social-media user, he regularly encounters unsolicited critiques of his game and public persona. “Sometimes I have to keep myself from answering or commenting,” he admitted. Yet he is unafraid to engage when he feels strongly—most recently sparking debate over the value of mental-health coaches in sport.
This willingness to “clap back” and to voice opinions on topics ranging from sportswashing to Norwegian tax policy reveals an evolving public figure who refuses to be pigeonholed as “shy” or “quiet.” While some fans chafe at his forthrightness, Ruud views transparency as integral to authenticity. “Whenever you say something publicly, someone will respond,” he noted. “But I’ve developed an interest in politics and I’ve been honest when asked.”
Maintaining Perspective After Defeat
Ruud’s optimism was on full display in Rome, where he suffered a harsh 6-0, 6-1 quarter-final loss to Jannik Sinner. Rather than retreating into frustration, he shrugged afterward: “It doesn’t feel so bad, honestly. It was more fun than anything, even though I lost 0 and 1. You look at the guy and say: ‘This is next-level.’”
Critics argued such a reaction smacked of a losing mentality unbefitting a top contender. But Ruud’s approach to defeat—acknowledging disappointment, then redirecting energy toward improvement—has been central to his consistency. He rejects the notion that every defeat must be met with unyielding anger. Instead, he sees loss as a natural catalyst for growth.
Balancing Drive and Self-Care
Away from tennis, Ruud cultivates passions that ground him and foster mental well-being. A devoted Weeknd fan, he recalls the thrill of discovering the singer’s music in a car ride after practice—an experience that sparked his lifelong fandom. He is also a keen golfer, though he admits he has never spent more than two hours practicing. A recent chat with golfing devotee Andy Murray inspired him to consider dedicating more time to the sport: “He told me he spent six hours on the driving range one day. I’m surprised he doesn’t get blisters.”
These hobbies offer respite from tennis’s relentless demands. Ruud credits downtime and varied interests with helping him maintain perspective: “When the hamster wheel becomes too arduous, I distract myself—you have to find balance.”
Looking Ahead: A New Mindset for Grand Slams
As Ruud prepares for the French Open—where he has twice reached the final—his renewed mental framework will be put to the ultimate test. Can he translate Madrid’s momentum into deep Roland Garros runs? His coach-supported approach suggests he is better equipped than ever to navigate the tournament’s physical and psychological hurdles.
Ruud himself remains cautiously optimistic: “I believe my generation will win more majors, but it won’t be easy. We’ve learned from the Big Three, and now we have to forge our own path.” By embracing vulnerability, seeking expert help, and preserving his sense of joy, Ruud has not only revitalized his season but also modeled a healthy template for aspiring athletes.
In an era when mental health in sport is finally gaining recognition, Casper Ruud’s journey from burnout to breakthrough stands as a powerful testament to the impact of psychological support. As he steps onto center court in Paris, it is clear that his greatest weapon may not only be his punishing forehand but the resilience of his mind.
