What Casper Ruud had to say about Jannik Sinner a week before they met in the final in Rome: 'Inspirational'
Article by David Istrate – Published Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10:30 a.m. / Updated Sunday, May 17, 2026 10:47 a.m.
Casper Ruud (27 years old, 25 ATP) has qualified for the final of the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome and will duel with Jannik Sinner (24 years old, 1 ATP), a tennis player who seems unbeatable. A week ago, the Norwegian was praising the Italian player, also addressing the criticism brought to him that he is like a robot.
The tournament in Rome is one of Casper Ruud's favorites. He stopped 3 times in the semi-finals, in 2020, 2022 and 2023, and once in the “quarters”, in 2025being defeated by Novak Djokovic (twice), by Holger Rune, respectively by Jannik Sinner.
A week ago, Ruud admitted that the tournament in the Italian capital has been one of his most successful over the years and revealed that he hopes to continue in 2026. The world number 25's wish came true and he had an excellent run at the Foro Italico, managing to qualify for the final.
Casper Ruud praises Jannik Sinner: “He makes everything look easy and natural”
But, in the last act of the tournament in Rome, Ruud will meet Jannik Sinner, a player he finds impressive.
“I played against him here in Rome last year and since then I've said openly that the level I felt and saw was crazy. And since then, he simply took another leap, reached another incredible level. He also played a fantastic final in Madrid“, said the 27-year-old athlete, quoted by Punto de Break.
He also addressed the criticism leveled at Sinner, with many saying he's like a robot.
“I see a lot of people saying it looks too robotic, not necessarily criticizing it, but commenting. But when you understand how difficult tennis is, the fact that he makes it look robotic shows how good he is. This sport is not simple at all, and he makes everything look easy and natural. It's impressive,” explained Ruud.
“Right now, all the other players are watching him. The more he wins, the bigger the target on his back becomes. But he continues to outplay all the players and beat them all. It's incredible and at the same time inspiring to see what he has achieved lately“, he concluded.
The final between Ruud and Sinner will start at 18:00 and it will be possible to watch liveTEXT on GSP.ro and live on Digi Sport 2.
Jannik Sinner – Casper Ruud, the grand final in Rome // photo: Imago
Casper Ruud's journey to the tournament in Rome
-
Round 2: 6-1, 6-3 vs. Zachary Svajda (23 years old, 90 ATP)
-
Round 3: 6-3, 6-4 vs. Jiri Lehecka (24 years old, 13 ATP)
-
Optimum finals: 6-3, 6-1 vs. Lorenzo Musetti (24 years old, 10 ATP)
-
Quarter finals: 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 vs. Karen Khachanov (29 years old, 15 ATP)
-
Semifinals: 6-1, 6-1 vs. Luciano Darderi (24 years old, 20 ATP)
