Casper Ruud did not cover that he was fairly thrilled about taking part in doubles with Rafael Nadal this week but in addition cracked a hilarious joke, saying the 38-year-old Spaniard is simply too previous to be going by means of a number of rain delays throughout matches.
After signing as much as play doubles collectively in Bastad, Ruud and Nadal kicked off their Bastad run on Monday with a convincing 6-4 6-1 win over No. 2 seeds Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela 6-4 6-1.Â
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Whereas the match lasted solely an hour and 9 minutes, it was twice interrupted by rain. And afterward, a contented Ruud determined to joke a little bit bit about all the state of affairs.Â
“Like Rafa mentioned, I feel it was a great match. In terms of the rain delays, I’m used to it greater than Rafa, being from Norway and he’s from Spain. He’s getting previous so I’m undecided how his physique feels when he has to cease and begin on a regular basis, however he did nicely. We performed good doubles and it was a number of enjoyable to share the courtroom with Rafa as at all times,” Ruud mentioned.Â
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What Ruud mentioned about accepting Nadal’s invitation
Ruud, 25, hardly ever performs doubles and earlier than Bastad, he solely appeared in doubles 5 instances this yr. However when his idol Nadal reached out to him and requested him if he was fascinated about being his doubles accomplice in Bastad, the 25-year-old Norwegian did not assume twice.
“Rafa despatched a textual content and requested. I don’t normally play doubles, however when Rafa asks, it’s straightforward to say sure,” Ruud mentioned.
In the meantime, Nadal mentioned about Ruud: “It’s a pleasure taking part in with a great pal and a tremendous participant like Casper right here in Bastad.”
Within the Bastad doubles quarterfinal, Ruud and Nadal performs towards Mariano Navone and Cameron Norrie or Theo Arribage and Roman Safiullin.
It stays to be seen if Ruud and Nadal can win Bastad of their doubles crew debut.
