'He's the second-best clay court player of all time....' - Casper Ruud lauds Novak Djokovic ahead of their quarterfinal clash at Roland Garros

World number seven Casper Ruud has made it to the Roland Garros quarterfinals for the third time in a row. There, he will face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a reprise of last year's final match. Notably, Ruud defeated Taylor Fritz, ranked 12th, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, and he even saved a set point in the first tie-break. The Norwegian, who is 39-9 on the year, is scheduled for the match on Wednesday after overcoming Djokovic in the Monte Carlo quarterfinals in April.

However, Casper Ruud was recently asked about his next quarterfinal game against Novak Djokovic. Notably, Ruud and Novak last met during the final of the French Open 2023, where the Serbian outclassed the 25-year-old to win the title.

“You play Novak next, you played him in last year's final as well. Just wanted to ask what exactly makes him so good on this surface particularly? We think of Nadal as the clay king, but Djokovic has won three Roland Garroses. What is it that he does so well here?,” Casper Ruud was asked.

You feel sometimes that he will, but he never does: Casper Ruud

The Norwegian-born star revealed that Novak Djokovic is the second-best player in the world on the clay surface. In addition, the 25-year-old star player talks about the Serbian tennis shots, which make him very exceptional in the sport and help him play at the epitome of the level. The world number seven also talks about the never-giving-up attitude of Novak Djokovic, which makes him a great star.

“Yeah, well, you can definitely argue that he's the second-best clay court player of all time. He always pretty much reached the final and ended up losing to Rafa. And I lost to him last year in the final. I think that he reads the game, you know, unbelievably well. He knows how to use a dropshot well. Obviously he moves great. So it's tough to hit winners on him. You know, physically he's there. He's strong. He never breaks down in a way. You feel sometimes that he will, but he never does," he answered.