Casper Ruud explains his decision to take a break between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Casper Ruud continues to surprise and candidly admits that Wimbledon is the major stumbling block of his career — and explains why, year after year, he refuses to play any tournaments between Roland Garros and the London Major. The Norwegian, who has previously been ranked number two in the world and has three Grand Slam finals to his name, entered the grass season with a completely different approach from his rivals, acknowledging that he feels “the time has come to make the leap” in what remains his greatest challenge.

Ruud, 25, has never hidden the fact that grass is the least favorable surface for his playing style — and the results confirm this: he has never progressed beyond the second round at Wimbledon. Now, on the verge of yet another edition of the most prestigious tournament in tennis, the Norwegian revealed to Tennis365 the peculiar strategy he has adopted to prepare: he categorically refuses to compete in any preparatory events between Paris and London, in contrast to the overwhelming majority of his opponents. “I have never made it past the second round, so we can start from there. Any better result will already be a success,” Ruud joked, eliciting smiles before making clear the reason for this unusual decision. “The clay season is extremely demanding. Going directly from Roland Garros to the preparatory tournaments and then to Wimbledon would be detrimental to the rest of the season. I prefer to take a break between Paris and Wimbledon, clear my mind, and regain my focus, both for this tournament and for the rest of the year,” the Norwegian explained, in a rare honesty on the circuit.

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This positioning, which has been repeated in recent seasons, is undeniably controversial. In an increasingly competitive circuit, where every detail counts, most players choose to adapt as quickly as possible to the specific conditions of the grass, engaging in numerous preparation matches. Ruud, on the other hand, believes that rest and mental clarity are his greatest weapons in finally attempting to overcome the psychological and technical block at Wimbledon. He does not hide the fact that the All England Club is an obsession for him. “I am at an important moment in my career. I don’t feel that time is running out, but with each passing year, the desire to achieve a great result here grows. Perhaps my long-term goal, even a life goal in my career, is to reach the second week of Wimbledon,” he confessed, acknowledging the symbolic significance of the London tournament in the journey of any top tennis player.

The draw, however, was anything but kind to Ruud. The Norwegian will face the Polish player Hubert Hurkacz in his opening match, one of the most dangerous players on the circuit on this surface and a former semifinalist in the tournament. This clash, right in the first round, promises to be a true test of Ruud’s nerves and adaptability, as he has never hidden the technical difficulties he experiences on grass — the surface demands a more aggressive game, a powerful serve, and quick movements, characteristics that are not exactly his trademark.

Ruud’s decision to prioritize rest and mental preparation over competitive play could be a trump card or a fatal mistake in a Wimbledon where surprises are frequent and the margin for error is minimal. If he can get past Hurkacz, he may finally break the curse and establish himself as a contender to reach the second week — an achievement that, in his words, would be “a success” and a clear sign of progress.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Casper Ruud’s performance in London. Will the Norwegian, with his bold and unorthodox approach, finally overcome the trauma of Wimbledon? Or will the English grass once again thwart the dreams of one of the most consistent players on the circuit? One thing is certain: Ruud is not hiding and is determined to fight until the end to write a new chapter in the most iconic Major in world tennis.

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