SUMMARY
- Alexander Bublik, Casper Ruud, and Benoit Paire discussed the ATP tour during the Ultimate Tennis showdown.
- Alexander Bublik had quite a few suggestions for Zapata Miralles to try on the court.
The Ultimate Tennis Showdown has seen the top players engage in highly intense battles. So far, it has been a successful event, with new players being added at each stage. Four stages of the event have been completed so far. Along with matches on the court, players get to talk about the game. Players such as Alexander Bublik, Casper Ruud, and Benoit Paire got together to talk about the ATP tour.
Bublik is known for his trick shots and casual attitude on the court. He took a shot at Bernabe Zapata Miralles and his behavior on the court. The Kazakh player was talking about playing on clay courts; he said, “The problem is when you get on the court, and you have Zapata Miralles on the other side of the net screaming in your face. That’s everything I hate,” Ruud and Paire burst out laughing.
🗣️ Bublik : “J’aime bien m’entraîner, le problème c’est quand tu arrives sur le court et que tu as Zapata Miralles qui te gueule au visage. Mec, détends-toi, pour quoi on joue ici ? Regarde la fiche d’information [du tournoi], en plus tu vas perdre au 2e tour.”
Fou rire lancé 😂 pic.twitter.com/cSDXbt64h7
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) December 26, 2023
Bublik teases Ruud about his ATP 250 titles
Sasha: “You were one match away from being #1, no?”
Casper: “Yeah. Last year at US Open.”
Sasha: “That year you won how many, 11 ATP 250s?” 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 26, 2023
Bublik mentioned that Miralles should check what event he is playing in. He also said that the Spaniard usually gets knocked out in the second round of each event. Bublik also teased Ruud about coming close to becoming world No. 1 in 2022. He sarcastically asked Ruud if he had won 11 ATP 250 events last year. The Norwegian player did not have much to say and only smiled during Bublik’s comments.
Casper Ruud hopes for his first big title win in the 2024 season
Ruud will play in his ninth year on the ATP tour next season. He has scaled new heights in the past few years and has broken numerous Norwegian records. The world No. 11 has won 10 titles so far in his career but has yet to win a big title. He has yet to win an ATP 500 event or a Masters 1000. In grand slam events, Ruud has reached the finals of the French Open twice and once at the US Open.
The former world No. 2 was the runner-up at the Nitto ATP Finals last season. He also reached the finals in Miami in 2022, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. Ruud has often been criticized for his consistency, especially on grass courts. He was even called out for attending too many Weeknd concerts. The 25-year-old will look for his first big title in the 2024 season.
10. Casper Ruud 🇳🇴
Ruud made another Slam final in 2023, but overall, it was a disappointing season. Nonetheless, he still finished with a rank of 11 and I expect him to stay in the same area in 2024. I think he’s more than capable of winning a 500 title, or even a Masters. pic.twitter.com/F2p0WgkVeQ
— Justin Tyler Fung (@justintylerfung) December 20, 2023
Ruud won 37 matches this year and could only win 14 in the second half. He has shown his strength on the clay courts. Nine of his ten titles have come on clay, and he has also shown good form on hard courts. Ruud can also make a mark at the Paris Olympics in July, as it will be played on clay courts. A big victory awaits Ruud, as the fans would also want to see him holding the trophy.