The Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud, number four in the world ranking, will be at the Estoril Open in 2023, the organization of the only Portuguese tournament on the ATP circuit announced on Wednesday.
“I am really looking forward to playing at the Millennium Estoril Open for the first time next year. I have heard fantastic things about the tournament, the people who organize it and also the Portuguese fans. As it is the first event of the European season on land beaten, I will be prepared to get a good result and play my best tennis,” said Ruud, quoted in a statement from the organization.
A finalist at Roland Garros and at the State Open this season, the 23-year-old Norwegian is the most accredited tennis player to participate in the Portuguese tournament since it changed organizers and began playing at the Clube de Ténis do Estoril, in 2015.
️ RUUUUUUUUUUUUUY!
After reaching the Roland-Garros and US Open finals and a career-high as No. 2 in 2022, @CasperRuud98 comes millennium #EstorilOpen in 2023 pic.twitter.com/r7JRYq6XPL
– Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) November 16, 2022
“I have also heard very positive things about Cascais, the magnificent weather, the fantastic landscapes and the fun activities promoted by the organization; all combined, I am excited to debut in Estoril,” he added.
Ruud, who this year won three tournaments on clay and reached second place in the world ranking, became the first semifinalist of the ATP Finals on Tuesday, which brings together the eight best tennis players of the moment in Turin.
“We are happy not only to be the highest ranked tennis player to compete in our tournament, but also for his quality as a tennis player and the values he instills: he has a phenomenal right swing, he always shows a lot of intelligence. On and off the field, he is a great competitor and an excellent example for the youngest”, highlighted João Zilhão.
The director of the Estoril Open also considered that the Norwegian’s presence “in two Grand Slam tournament finals this year confirms him as one of the great protagonists of world tennis.”
The next edition of the only ATP tournament held in Portugal will take place between April 1 and 9, 2023 on the clay courts of the Clube de Ténis do Estoril.
Source: TSF
