“Casper Ruud overcomes adversities and advances in Roland Garros.”

The scorching heat that descended upon [Roland Garros](https://apitofinal.pt/modalidades/tenis/rafael-jodar-o-novo-fenomeno-do-tenis-espanhol-brilha-em-paris/) was no match for Casper Ruud’s relentless determination. For two consecutive days, [Paris](https://apitofinal.pt/modalidades/tenis/john-mcenroe-alerta-pressao-pode-ser-o-calcanhar-de-aquiles-de-sinner/) saw thermometers registering 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit, turning water stations into true oases and sprinkler breaks into fleeting moments of relief. Nevertheless, fans remained steadfast, filling the stands and enduring long waits just to watch the biggest stars of tennis battle it out on courts that felt more like neighborhood clubs than stages of a [Grand Slam](https://apitofinal.pt/modalidades/tenis/davidovich-fokina-supera-limites-e-conquista-vitoria-no-roland-garros/). Amid this thermal hell, Ruud, a two-time finalist in the tournament, felt that his journey at the French Open could be slipping away from him entirely, fearing that his debut could be the [premature end](https://apitofinal.pt/nacional/mourinho-em-silencio-futuro-no-benfica-gera-tensao-na-luz/) of his campaign.

In the opening duel against Russian Roman Safiullin, Ruud seemed to dominate the match with ease, until the extreme heat began to alter the rhythm of the game. The Norwegian even had five match points in the third set, but from that point on, the tide turned. Ruud started to feel the first signs of physical fatigue, admitting that cramps began to plague his legs midway through the match. “It started to show up in the middle of the third set,” Ruud revealed. “When I broke to 3-1, I felt a slight cramping sensation in my calves and thought, ‘Oh no, here we go.’”

The scenario became dramatic: when Ruud was leading 5-2 in the third set, Safiullin staged an unbelievable comeback, winning 11 consecutive games and forcing the match into a fifth and decisive set. The battle was so intense that Ruud had to call for medical assistance on several occasions, using ice towels and pouring water over his body to try to cool down and stay in the game.

But the physical suffering did not end with Ruud. Safiullin himself experienced physical issues at the end of the fourth set, necessitating a break for treatment. The world number 141 called the physiotherapist when he was leading 5-0, lying on the ground as the doctors addressed a troubling injury to his thigh or hip. After closing the fourth set with a “bagel” (6-0), both players took an extended break before returning for the decisive fifth set.

Despite extreme fatigue and momentum swings, Ruud managed to regain control and, after nearly four hours of exhausting battle (3h56m), won 6-2, 7-6(7-5), 5-7, 0-6, 6-2. Later, the Norwegian confided that the experience brought back memories of a frightening episode from the past: “It felt like I was almost sunstroke. I had been through something similar in Washington DC and had to retire. There were moments when I felt extremely dizzy, very tired, walking around the court like a zombie.”

Ruud did not hide the pain of the moment when victory seemed guaranteed, only to slip through his fingers: “I was up 5-3, 40-15, and thought I had the match. I hit five consecutive first serves, and he responded with five great points, and I ended up missing a winning forehand on a break point that he capitalized on. That was the hardest break I’ve lost in a long time.”

Ruud’s mental strength was not a matter of chance. The Norwegian tennis player found motivation in the determination shown by colleagues like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who also faced extreme conditions this year in tournaments like the Australian Open. “I thought about Jannik and Carlos during the match. Jannik, especially, when he was battling the heat and then managed to recover with the roof closing. Carlos, in the semifinal against Sascha, looked finished and still came back in the fifth set. Those examples gave me strength.”

By securing a place in the second round, Ruud highlighted his pride in his physical and mental resilience: “I never gave up, even when my body was begging me to stop.” Now, with yet another dramatic victory in Paris, the Norwegian promises to bring that same determination to the upcoming challenges at the French Open, continuing to fight to the limit in pursuit of success.

Casper Ruud, currently the 15th seed in the tournament, demonstrated that even under the most adverse conditions, the will to win can overcome any obstacle. Roland Garros 2026 will never be the same after this epic display of courage and resilience.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.