Casper Ruud beats Jack Draper, wins maiden Masters 1000 title in Madrid

Norway’s Casper Ruud bested Britain’s Jack Draper on Sunday by 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to win the Mutua Madrid Open, which is his career’s maiden Masters 1000 title. This is the biggest title of Ruud’s career so far and he was able to keep his nerves when it mattered the most.

In fact, the Norwegian had not won a set in his two previous Masters 1000 finals but he was able to bring his best in Madrid, where he defeated players like Sebastian Korda, Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz.

Ruud was delighted after winning the title and said he had always dreamed about winning an ATP Masters 1000 title.

“It feels great, of course. It’s been a long time coming,” said Ruud. “[This was] one of the really big goals I dreamed about when I was young, so it’s an incredible feeling to accomplish it. Also the way I did it today, it was a great match. I knew Jack had been playing unbelievable all year, and especially in this tournament, so I knew that if I didn’t bring my A-plus game, I was going to be whooped around the court.

“Luckily, I played really well. Jack has become such an incredible player, on any surface now. He’s won title on every surface except [clay], and he’s already made finals here in Madrid. So it’s an incredible year he is having. This is a really big boost for me, and I would like to keep it going.”

Ruud gave his gratitude to his close ones for always putting their weight behind him.

“I owe a lot of my success to all my closest ones,” said Ruud, who has more tour-level wins (125) and titles (12) on clay than any other player since the start of 2020. “My family, my friends, my fiancée Maria. We got engaged last year, so she’s been an incredible support for me over many years now. She came yesterday to come and support, and maybe that was the last little push I needed to get over the finish line. I’m really happy, and it’s great I’m surrounded by so many amazing people. I’m a really lucky guy.”

Ruud would look to carry his good form into the upcoming Italian Open.