Ruud Marches into French Open’s Second Week, Aiming to Be Norway’s First Grand Slam Champion

With June’s arrival, the 2024 French Open has passed its halfway point and is heading into an exciting second week. As the Roland Garros center court slogan reads, “Victory belongs to the most tenacious,” only those who persevere until the end can lift the trophy. Among the men’s singles draw, Djokovic, Sinner, and Alcaraz are the top three favorites, but Ruud, a quiet force, is also a contender.

As a YONEX-signed player, Ruud enters this year’s French Open as the seventh seed. In his opening match against qualifier Alves, the Norwegian No. 1 secured a straight-sets victory. In round two, he faced Spanish clay-court specialist Davidovich Fokina in a grueling four-hour battle, eventually prevailing 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Ruud then overcame his first seeded opponent in the tournament, fellow YONEX player Etcheverry, with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 win, advancing to the second week of Roland Garros for the third consecutive year.

As the runner-up at Roland Garros for the past two years, Ruud has high expectations for his performance. He started the clay season strongly, reaching back-to-back finals in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, winning his highest-level title in Barcelona. However, he was eliminated in the round of 16 in Madrid and suffered an early exit in Rome. To fine-tune his form ahead of Roland Garros, Ruud participated in the Geneva clay event the week before. There, he won four consecutive matches, capturing his 12th ATP Tour title and his second of the season.

“The first five months of the year were the best start to a season in my career, but I was disappointed with my performances in Madrid and Rome. That’s why I decided to play in Geneva. Instead of going to Paris early, I wanted to compete and build my form, which gave me more confidence going into a Grand Slam, especially one where I’ve had my best chances so far.”

In the round of 16, Ruud will face American No. 1 and world No. 12, Taylor Fritz. The pair have only met once before, in the 2022 ATP Finals group stage, where Ruud triumphed in three sets. Their upcoming encounter at Roland Garros will be their first on clay. Although Ruud is favored based on their records and clay prowess, Fritz has showcased his best clay-court tennis this year, making him a formidable opponent.

Representing YONEX, Ruud dons the 2024 French Open collection, featuring an elegant blend of olive green and sandy tones complemented by a vibrant orange that echoes the Roland Garros spirit. He pairs the attire with the ECLIPSION 5 tennis shoes, creating a harmonious ensemble that combines distinctive Parisian style with innovative performance technology.

As a consistent top-ten player known for his solid baseline game and excellent defensive skills, Ruud relies on his EZONE racquet for power and comfort, strung with POLYTOUR SPIN 125/PRO 130 strings: “I’ve been using EZONE racquets for many years. I like the power and feel they provide, and the string setup enhances my serve.”

“I love tennis, and I love Roland Garros. Even if it means playing until 1 am, the fans are here, and I have to push through,” Ruud expressed in a post-match interview. The Norwegian No. 1 aims to make history in Paris, becoming the first Norwegian to win a Grand Slam singles title.

(Text by Wang Fei)