Casper Ruud has made his mark at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. A two-time finalist at that level, the former No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings has battled the best and created lasting memories along the way, both on and off the court.
ATPTour.com caught up with Ruud at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells to hear his best stories from ATP Masters 1000 events — from teeing off in Rome to toppling Novak Djokovic to reach the Monte-Carlo final.
What is your favourite ATP Masters 1000 host city and why?
It’s hard not to say Palm Springs [Indian Wells]… I love my golf. It’s nice you can get a house here and just enjoy. The comfort side of this tournament is incredible and probably the best there is in the Masters 1000 events. We are in many big cities otherwise, so it’s nice to have a calm place be the host of a Masters tournament.
Which ATP Masters 1000 title would you most like to win?
I would say Monte-Carlo. I think it’s a pretty special tournament. It’s the first clay-court Masters 1000. I was in the final last year, so it’s one where I have been closer to actually lifting the trophy.
What would your dream match be at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament?
I think probably in the final of Monte-Carlo and beating Rafa [Nadal] would be a dream scenario.
What is the toughest aspect of playing a Masters 1000 event?
You have to beat the best players in the world, because they all show up here. I’ve never been able to win one, so I don’t know exactly how it feels, but I’ve been in a couple finals. It’s five or six tough matches against the best players in the world, back to back to back… It’s no joke trying to win a Masters 1000.
What is the greatest match you have watched at a Masters 1000?
There are a few ones… A recent one I would say is [Carlos] Alcaraz against Novak in the Cincinnati final in 2023. That was a pretty damn cool match. You also have Rafa against Novak in Madrid one year, in 2009 where they played close to four hours. Rafa ended up winning that one 7-6 in the third. I remember that from my childhood. Also, Rafa against [Guillermo] Coria in Rome [2005], really early for Rafa, when they played best-of-five sets in the semis and final.
What’s your favourite court at a Masters 1000?
Either the centre court at Indian Wells, which is probably the biggest Masters 1000 court, or in Monte-Carlo, which is stunning with a view of the sea in the back. One that I also really like is Pietrangeli in Rome, it’s a special one. If you play an Italian there, it’s tough, but enjoyable at the same time.
Do you remember your Masters 1000 debut?
It was Miami in 2017, I lost pretty badly in the first round. I got a solid beating by Yen-Hsun Lu.
Your favourite off-court memory at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament?
One year in Rome, Taylor [Fritz] and I went out to Marco Simone [Golf Club], where they had the Ryder Cup. We played a few holes there, which was really cool — an unbelievable golf course too. In Madrid, usually Real Madrid are playing football while we’re they’re, so it’s really cool to go to the Santiago Bernabeu when you can and watch a match. In Miami, you can go to a Heat's game. You can watch some cool other sports.
What is your best Masters 1000 win?
Probably against Novak in Monte-Carlo last year to make the final. Wins against Novak don’t come easy… I played a good match and he was maybe a bit rusty, but a win over Novak is something that you work hard for and try to achieve.
© Copyright 1994 - 2024 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies | Your Privacy Choices 
