Casper Ruud wins Madrid Open, first Norwegian ATP Masters 1000 champion

Casper Ruud captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title by defeating Jack Draper in a hard-fought Madrid Open final, marking a major milestone in his career and becoming the first Norwegian to win such a title. Ruud praised Draper’s impressive progress, noting his threat on all surfaces and his remarkable breakthrough on clay, while Draper reached a career-high ranking and solidified his reputation as a top contender. The match itself was closely contested, with Ruud overcoming previous final losses to finally clinch a significant title after a series of runner-up finishes at Grand Slams and other major events. Ruud’s victory comes at a pivotal time, boosting his confidence and ATP ranking ahead of the Rome Masters and the French Open. Draper, despite the loss, made history as the only British man besides Andy Murray to reach Masters 1000 finals on both hard and clay courts, and now sits second in the ATP race for the season. Ruud’s win and Draper's breakthrough highlight a potential shift in the men’s tennis landscape, particularly on clay.