Toni Nadal is the uncle of the world’s most successful player, Rafael Nadal, and the Spaniard’s former coach. He currently writes tennis commentary for the major Spanish newspaper “El País” and is part of the coaching staff of Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. “Uncle Toni” is known for giving his honest opinion when it comes to tennis. And when it comes to INFLUENCE: Toni Nadal is among the most famous faces in the world of tennis off the court. He believes that Casper Ruud is treated badly by the organisers. Photo: Thibault Camus / AP comes to Casper Ruud having to open the US Open on “insignificant” court 12, he is crystal clear: – I understand that those responsible for the tournament must show some understanding for the players who attract the most attention, but I know not if it should be to the unethical point that the player who is the fifth seed is sent to insignificant courts and has to see himself replaced with players who cause a stir, not only for his game, but for his repeated rudeness and unorthodox behavior, Nadal writes in El País . Toni Nadal writes that the quality of the players should be weighed heavily, and thinks it puts tennis’ leaders in a bad light that it is not prioritized to a greater extent. The successful Spanish coach believes that it is sad that the fans’ attention is directed more towards players with outrageous behaviour. US Open course facts From largest to smallest: 23,771 places – Arthur Ashe 14,061 – Louis Armstrong 8,125 – The Grandstand 2,800 – Lane 17 1,704 – Lanes 11 and 12 1,494 – Lane 7 1,148 – Lane 5 1,104 – Lanes 10 and 13 1,066 – Court 4 1032 – Court 6 624 – Court 9 502 – Courts 14 and 15 336 – Courts 8 and 6 No names are mentioned, but the player referred to is apparently Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios. The Australian with a huge reputation played the 1st round at the venerable Arthur Ashe, and played his five matches on the biggest or second biggest court (Louis Armstrong). Ruud and Kyrgios are like night and day on the tennis court. The Norwegian exudes stability and has made good sportsmanship his trademark. The latter can beat anyone on a good day, but is the first to break the racket when faced with opposition. STARTED SMALL: Casper Ruud’s opening match against Kyle Edmund took place on court 12 in New York. It is the facility that holds the fifth most spectators with a maximum capacity of 1,704 places. Arthur Ashe Stadium seats almost 24,000 people by comparison. Photo: Pontus Höök / NTB Ruud played his first two matches on courts 12 and 17. Then there was one match at Louis Armstrong, before he finished with four matches at Arthur Ashe – and finally came second in the US Open and the world. Ruud: – Was perhaps a little surprised On the spot in Lillehammer, two days before the Davis Cup match between Norway and India, the boy from Snarøya chuckles a little when news brings up Nadal’s criticism of the US Open. – Two weeks ago I might not have had a big enough name to attract the biggest audiences READY FOR NEW MATCH: Casper Ruud will play at least two matches in this weekend’s Davis Cup match against India. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB on the biggest track in the opening … At the same time, I was the fifth seed, so you might like to think that you can get some benefits from that. But just in the first match, you were perhaps a little surprised at which track you were put on, says Ruud to news. He says that Toni Nadal first laughed a little at it, then they laughed a little at it together. Now he hopes for a more attractive course from the start to next year. – I hope it won’t be court 12 in the US Open in the first round, smiles Ruud. The Norwegian sees one bright spot – Ultimately, the pitches are exactly the same: The lines are there, the net is there, the referees are there and the ball boys are there. But it’s a bit about how much space there is around, says Ruud, who is most comfortable when he has plenty of room to move behind the baseline. At the same time, he sees a slight advantage in not always having to play in the very largest arenas in the most prestigious tournaments. – I’m not the one who plays the flashiest or has the biggest outbursts. It’s fine to stay a little out of the limelight. With that limelight and those pitches also comes pressure and expectations, so it doesn’t matter to me. Christian Ruud: – I kind of agree – I kind of agree with him. I think Casper, who is young and so highly ranked, should actually get a bit bigger pitches. There are popular women’s players and then there are Kyrgios and Murray, and former winners, who often get that course, which I think is a bit wrong, says coach dad Christian Ruud. ALWAYS CLOSE ON: Christian Ruud followed his son from the sidelines throughout the US Open. Here together with Pedro Clar, Ruud’s coach from the Nadal academy. Photo: John Minchillo / AP He admits that he has on several occasions expressed what he believes to be wrong priorities from the organisers. And after two Grand Slam finals, he hopes that a change can happen: – It is ultimately the tournament owners and the TV companies who rule, and they want the “hot” names. Now hopefully Casper will be a little more “hot”, so maybe he can get a little bit bigger tracks in the future. Ruud back in Norway – meets India Casper Ruud played all the matches from the quarter-finals to Arthur Ashe. – It was fun to enjoy those moments and play in the biggest stadium we have, says Ruud, who will now be seen on Norwegian soil. The world number two together with Viktor Durasovic, Herman Høyeraal, Lukas Lilleengen and Simen Sunde Bratholm make up the Norwegian team in this weekend’s duel against India. Viktor Durasovic (from left), team captain Anders Håseth and Casper Ruud were present during Norway’s press conference ahead of the Davis Cup matches in Håkons Hall in Lillehammer. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Norway’s best players – Ruud and Durasovic – have never been ranked better in the ATP rankings, respectively as number two and 224 in the world. The winner is the country that first runs away with three victories. Two singles matches are played on Friday, while Saturday opens with a doubles match. Up to two singles matches are then played to decide the tie. Norway came close to making it to the Davis Cup finals – the “Tennis World Cup” – which starts in December, but lost the match against Kazakhstan in Oslo in March. Now the goal is to come see the play-offs in 2023. Norway has never qualified before.
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Toni Nadal harshly against Casper Ruud treatment – believes he was victimized for rowdies – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
