Rafael Nadal gives Casper Ruud French Open help to beat Roger Federer
CASPER RUUD has received help from Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya ahead of his clash with Roger Federer.
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Ruud has never before competed against one of the best players in the world and he is gearing up for the biggest match of his career this lunchtime.
The 20-year-old world No 63 faces Federer in the third round of the French Open.
But ahead of the clash, Nadal and Moya stepped in to try and help the Norwegian knock out one of their biggest threats.
Ruud’s coach Pedro Clar revealed the youngster has been spending time with world No 2 Nadal.
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That is because Ruud is part of the Rafael Nadal Academy.
"It will be very good, in the first round [Ruud] already played very well against Ernests Gulbis and now against Matteo Berrettini,” Clar told Eurosport.
“He is getting to his best level and the match against Federer will be the best possible.
"Yesterday he had the chance to play against Rafa and Carlos and being able to help him was unbelievable.
“We are doing a great job, we are getting great results.
“We have to focus on Casper and we have to use the good things he did in the first two rounds against Federer.”
Meanwhile, Ruud risked angering Federer in the build-up to the match by claiming he prefers Nadal to the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
“To be honest, I’ve been a little bit more of a Rafa fan and Rafa guy,” Ruud said.
“But those two have always been my two absolute favourites.
“And, you know, I have just an amazing amount of respect for him and everything he’s done for the sport, how gentle he is on and off the court and he’s just a perfect example for all young players.
“Of course I remember some incredible matches between him and Rafa, you know, in my very young days.
“I remember especially the Wimbledon final where Rafa ended up winning in that amazing fifth set. And I remember Roger beating I think it was [Andy] Roddick that year after in another amazing five-setter.”