ROLAND GARROS

May 30, 2022

Casper Ruud

Press Conference

C. RUUD/H. Hurkacz

6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Well done. First time ever in a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam. How do you feel?

CASPER RUUD: I feel good, of course. It's a good result. Was a good feeling, of course, to win this match and to make my first quarterfinal here in Roland Garros means a lot. It's the first Grand Slam that I visited as a kid. It's nice to get one of my best results of my career so far here.

I hope I can continue the level of my tennis and the streak going.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. It's been a lot of firsts for you lately. You seem to get used to it. I wonder, is it each time like a milestone or is it something you feel like is logical and more is to come? Because first quarterfinals for your career, first from a Norwegian player. What does that mean to you at this point?

CASPER RUUD: Well, I mean, of course it's a new milestone. When I'm playing the tournament, playing the match, I don't really think too much about it.

Of course when I'm done with this or when this tournament is over for me, I will look back and think that I did a good job and did a good result and made my best result in a Grand Slam.

I'm still, you know, in tournament mode and not really thinking too much about all these things, about the history and all these milestone and stuff.

Of course it's a nice feeling. I want to continue, like I said, playing well and hope that I can reach even one more step.

Q. At this time of the tournament, there is always lots of talk and speculation about who the favorites are. There is talk about Rafa, there is talk about Novak, there is a bit of a buzz around Carlos as well. There is a cartoon character, I don't know if you have heard of him, called Casper the Ghost. I wondered if in some respects you feel like you've almost ghosted into the quarterfinals by playing some great tennis. Not everyone is noticing you, but that might work to your advantage because you can just continue to play great tennis without as much attention on you as some of the other guys.

CASPER RUUD: Yeah, of course. Well, even now, obviously now but even before the tournament, there was, of course, already a lot of talk who the favorite was. I think everyone was talking about the top half of the draw with Nadal, Djokovic, and Alcaraz of course there. There are many other good players in the tournament.

Let's see, of course, who will be in the final on Sunday. But, I mean, we all need to play one match at a time. I have just been focused and been in a good mindset this tournament. I had a tough first round with a special situation, and then after that I think I have been able to let loose a little bit more.

Today I think I played some of my best tennis this year for the first two sets. Fourth set as well I played well when I had to come back.

I think that's a perfect way going into a quarterfinal for me. Hopefully, like I said, I can reach a step or two or three more.

Q. At this point of the season, is the tournament a turning point for you maybe in your mentality? You said you can do a better thing here in Paris than in the previous tournament.

CASPER RUUD: Yeah, of course. It is gonna change, of course, a little bit the way I think I look on the Grand Slams in the future when you know you have reached a quarterfinal one time. It has been a big goal for me this year, and to reach it is a good feeling.

Like I said, the tournament is not over and want to, of course, try to win my next match, and I'm already focused on it. I need to do all the right things to be prepared. I think it will be an exciting match in the quarterfinal.

Q. This is all new to you. But when you were coming into this French Open, what were you thinking that you wanted to achieve? Have you exceeded those expectations or beliefs that you wanted? I mean, obviously it's not done, but by getting at least to the quarterfinals.

CASPER RUUD: Yeah, I have reached one of my goals, and one of my goals for the whole year here in Paris. But of course when you reach a goal, you make new goals. That's usually how it goes. New goal will of course be in a few days' time to try to reach the semifinal.

I have reached semifinals and finals of ATP 1000 events where of course there are the same guys playing as here. This is different because this is best-of-five sets, but I think best-of-five sets typically can be an advantage for me. So I think also that I, in a way, coming into this year's Roland Garros I felt more experienced and more mature on court when it comes to playing best-of-five sets.

I haven't maybe rushed or felt the nerves as much because I know it will be a long race, kind of, no matter how the match goes. Even if you win in three straight sets you will still be out there for quite a long time. If it's a five-set match, I know that I will be physically strong enough.

Yeah, I mean, I think I have, with the goals I have set myself, I think I have also matured a little bit from last year.