“He’s really fast on the court. He can get to a lot of balls. I felt like (at) some points I was tossing it from side to side, it protected and slid really well. I was really impressed with everything about his game.”
Ruud last faced Sinner in Vienna in 2021. He lost in straight sets by a similar scoreline (7-5, 6-1), but he was quick to admit that the sinner he faced on Saturday was a another player with great strides. “Everything about his game improved,” he said. “I mean, this year it seems like he’s grown in every aspect, even from last year, from the end of last year. It’s really fun to watch. It’s hard to play.”
A lesson in devotion
It’s frustrating to deal with, but inspiring to watch, says Ruud.
“I really admire Jannik as a player. As a person, he is very serious about what he does. It’s inspiring. Even though he is younger than me, I have a lot to learn from him.”
What is one of the most valuable lessons to learn from the Sinner? Ruud says it is the Italian’s bold and confident style of play, which has been fueled by the confidence he has gained from a dynamic season featuring two major titles and 70 wins. “He goes for his shots completely,” Ruud said. “Something I can definitely learn too. Sometimes maybe I’m a little hesitant. Especially on this surface, I don’t necessarily dare to be as aggressive as he does.
“There’s a lot I can learn from him and also from today’s loss.”
How does Sinner compare to Novak Djokovic? Jannik hits a faster ball
When asked to compare Sinner to Novak Djokovic, Ruud provided an interesting insight. Initially, he said that the pair do not look alike at all.
“I don’t think so, in my opinion, because they play different tennis,” he said. “I mean, I think on TV it looks maybe similar, the way they play. But Jannik hits the ball faster than Novak. He doesn’t let you breathe. With Novak you can play rallies. I’m not going to say (it’s) easier to play Novak because he’s the best in history. At least with Novak you can play more rallies and not have to worry about Novak ripping off, like, a bomb in the lane or the court or stuff.
“I don’t necessarily like to compare players because everyone has their own style. For me, you don’t understand how fast Jannik plays unless you watch him play live and you’re there in the stadium.”
