New Delhi: Casper Ruud’s long wait for a big moment finally ended under the Madrid sun, as the 26-year-old Norwegian battled past Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to win his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 title on Sunday. It was a win that came not just with silverware, but with a slice of history Ruud is now the first Norwegian ever to lift a Masters 1000 trophy.
This victory in the Spanish capital felt like a reward for Ruud’s years of perseverance at the top level. After falling short in his two previous Masters 1000 finals and having tasted defeat in three Grand Slam title matches, he finally found a way to break through in one of the sport’s biggest stages.
CASPER RUUD MADRID CHAMPION 🏆#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/Q6yH7U43sH
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 4, 2025
The final was as tightly contested as any this season. Draper came into the match full of confidence after an impressive run in Madrid, including some powerful displays from the baseline. The Brit looked sharp early on, capitalizing on a pair of double faults from Ruud to grab an early break in the first set. Draper’s forehand was particularly potent, especially down the line, and he looked in control at 5-3.
But finals are often about holding your nerve, and Draper blinked. A few loose shots in a key service game gave Ruud a way back, and the Norwegian didn’t look back from there. He strung together four straight games, using his forehand to dictate play and won a massive 91% of his first-serve points in the opening set—an area of his game that kept him steady throughout.
Draper’s fight and Ruud’s response
To his credit, Draper didn’t fade after the first-set disappointment. Instead, he raised his aggression and came storming back in the second set, stringing together his own four-game run to level the match. His shotmaking, especially his ability to change direction and flatten out the ball, had the Madrid crowd on its feet.
The third set was where champions are made and Ruud showed just how much he’s matured. After a lengthy and tense exchange of early service holds, the match turned in the fifth game. Draper saved multiple break points in a marathon third game, but Ruud’s relentless pressure finally paid off two games later. The Norwegian broke through and didn’t look back, winning the final set with calm, calculated tennis.
Casper Ruud’s reaction after beating Draper in Madrid.
He puts his arms in the air.
The stadium erupts.
The first Norwegian man in history to win a Masters title.
It’s been a long time coming for one of the nicest guys in sports.
Chills. 🇳🇴🥹
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 4, 2025
A breakthrough moment for Ruud
The two-hour, 29-minute battle ended with Ruud’s arms raised and a visible sense of relief on his face. He called it “a long time coming” in his post-match comments, and he wasn’t wrong. The Madrid title is Ruud’s 13th career ATP title but by far the biggest. He also moves back into the world’s top 10, climbing to No. 7, and leaps into the top five of the Live Race to Turin.
Ruud’s path to the title included wins over top-10 players Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, and Draper’s most impressive Masters run to date. For Draper, the loss will sting, but his rise continues, having now made a Masters 1000 final on clay just weeks after winning in Indian Wells.
For Ruud, though, this Sunday in Madrid will forever mark the day he crossed the threshold from contender to champion.
Norwegian becomes first from his country to win a Masters 1000 crown after beating Draper in a gripping three-set finale Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
