Ruud gets his first win over Nadal (OK, it was only an exhibition)

When you’re trying to get a first win over a legend, then they all count, even if it is an exhibition match.

After his loss to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final and at the ATP Finals, and three other exhibition defeats, Casper Ruud finally got a W on the board when he beat the Spaniard 6-4, 6-4 in the fourth match of their exhibition series in Quito, Ecuador, on Sunday night.

The altitude may have helped – Quito is 2,850m above sea level – and it seems Ruud even managed one serve at 240kmph (149mph), well above his usual serving speed at sea level.

Ruud, who has trained at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, was so excited that he even tested out a bit of Spanish on the crowd.

The pair, who previously played each other in Chile (where Nadal won), will now move on to more exhibition events in Bogota and Mexico City, having also joined former stars Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko for a mixed doubles in Buenos Aires.

You might also like this

Honest Ruud on facing Djokovic and Nadal: “They have this ability to step up when they really have to, that I don’t have”

tennis majors

I still feel like I haven’t peaked – After career year, Casper Ruud believes he’s got better tennis in him

tennis majors

“Everything changed when we found an efficient treatment for my foot” – Nadal

tennis majors