Rafael Nadal plays the game like no other: Casper Ruud

I want to be remembered for being a nice guy, says NorwegianCasper Ruud's breakthrough form in 2022 which took him to maiden Masters and Grand Slam final sparked his charge in the US Open swing, which the world No. 5 opened with a semifinal showing in Montreal last week. The 23-year-old Norwegian, marked out as a clay-court specialist, now dares to dream big on hard courts.

Excerpts:How would you describe your relationship with hard courts?If you've played on clay for months and then come to hard court, it is nice because every ball will bounce in the right way. There are no wrong bounces on hard courts. Reaching the final in Miami (in April) was an important step in my career, I know I can have a big result on hard court as well.

I didn't think I could reach far in these big tournaments on hard courts because other players were better on hard courts. At the same time, the clay court game can work on hard courts too. Rafa (Nadal) has won the US Open so many times.

(Dominic) Thiem, the one Grand Slam he has won, is on hard courts. Yet he's known as one of the best players on clay. Can you describe how Nadal competes? What's it like to go up against him?Playing Nadal best-of-five on clay is not something many can be prepared for.

I've practised with him many times, but a match is always different, especially in a Roland Garros setting, the final. He wants to win every point, which makes it so tough physically. He plays every single point as if it's his last point.

Against most players you'll get some unforced errors, some mistakes, of course against Rafa too you'll get it, but it doesn't feel like a free point. He makes you work for it. He's greedy and doesn't give away too many mistakes.