Casper Ruud Sends Support to Iga Swiatek After Quarter-Final Win

Madrid, Spain — After defeating Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open, Casper Ruud took a moment to support fellow player Iga Swiatek, who had just lost to Coco Gauff. Ruud posted an encouraging message on social media, commenting on a video of Swiatek covering her head with a towel during her 6-1, 6-1 loss on Thursday.

“Hey @iga_swiatek. Keep your head up. Like millions of other people, I love watching you play. Not your day today, but you inspire so many and you’ll be back stronger than ever!!,” Ruud wrote.

Ruud, who is ranked No. 15 after previously reaching No. 2, has openly shared his own mental health struggles. He spoke to the press for 15 minutes about how he sought help for burnout and worked to regain his passion for the game.

“I’ve been feeling not great mentally this year, but I’ve sought help, which has really worked for me,” Ruud told reporters after winning his first match against Medvedev in four encounters. “I’m happy to feel more joy and feel like I’m in a better place.”

The 26-year-old player, who is a three-time Grand Slam finalist, arrived in Madrid looking to shake off his mental challenges. He advanced to his first Masters 1000 semi-final since Monte Carlo last year, winning every match without dropping a set.

In the quarter-finals, Ruud defeated two top-10 seeds, including Medvedev and Taylor Fritz. He is now set to face Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the semi-finals for a chance to reach the Madrid final.

Reflecting on his journey, Ruud remarked, “This professional tennis life is sort of like a hamster wheel that just never stops.” He admitted that the constant travel and competition can take a toll on an athlete’s mental health, making it important to confront these challenges.

“It’s allowed to have mental struggles or tougher days mentally,” he added. “Tennis is not just about hitting the balls well or being quick around the court; it’s also a very mindful game.”

Ruud also recalled his previous matches against Medvedev, having lost to him on different surfaces before this clay encounter. “I lost three times, and I lost every surface except for clay. I was just thinking, please don’t lose also on clay,” he admitted.

In response, Medvedev acknowledged Ruud’s skill during the match, praising him for “controlling the game.” Medvedev expressed optimism about ending his title drought, stating, “The more I work on myself, the more I’ll have the chance to get the title.”