Casper Ruud is world no. 5 and the no. 2 seed at the Dallas Open. Before his debut at the ATP 500 event, the Norwegian offered a reflection on Texas that includes his roots and something funny. Ruud explained this quirky saying from Norway that gives his expectations of the Lone Star State a distinct flavor.
The Norwegian Saying: “Completely Texas
During his media day interview for Tennis Channel in Frisco, Texas, Ruud shed light on a saying that is commonly used in his home country to describe chaotic or uncontrollable situations.
“It’s funny because we have a saying in Norway about Texas,” Ruud explained. “When something is very chaotic, big, or not in control, you would say that it’s ‘completely Texas.’ It’s the direct translation from the region.”
While this saying seems odd to other people, it is a bit of a jest to the size of Texas’s reputation that extends both in truth and in Norway. Ruud’s comment only goes to demonstrate how cultural phrases cross borders as fans get to see an interesting perspective on the state from how he sees the state before its tournament debut.
A First Visit in Texas to Be Remembered
For Ruud, this visit to Texas is a long way from his first time in the state. The native of Oslo made his first visit to Houston back in 2019, making a real impression by going on to win his first ATP final. It set the tone for his greater appreciation of the Lone Star State.
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Ruud says of that trip, “I think it’s a cool state.”. It’s a state that you watch in movies and kind of feel like, you know, but never really been here. I’m happy that I’m here for the first time and hope I can have a good time. Now, as he makes his return to Texas, Ruud is ready to face the challenge of the Dallas Open, hoping to add more memories to his Texas legacy.
A Landmark Year for the Dallas Open
This can’t be the best time for Ruud’s debut at the Dallas Open, as this marks the first edition of the tournament as an ATP 500, making it an important event not only for the city but for the players taking part. Matches will be held at the Ford Center at The Star, the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium, that combines sports history with a very modern, high-profile setting.
He has already gained a great reputation on the tour as a tennis player, and his presence alone at such a tournament would bring much joy and hype to the Dallas Open.
Ruud’s NFL Fan: The Buccaneers and Super Bowl Anticipation
Ruud is a fan of the NFL, though he also says that his calendar demands do not really give him a chance to catch as many games as he would like. “I watch when I can,” he shared. “It always kicks off when we’re at the US Open. Those times after we are typically in Europe or Asia, so they’re not that easy to follow.” Despite this, Ruud makes it a point to catch major games, especially the Super Bowl, which he plans to watch next weekend.
Ruud also shared that he is a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of his personal relationships in the city. “My grandparents had a house in Tampa, and we went there almost every Christmas,” he said. “I’d love to go to one of the games. It just rarely fits with our schedule, so I hope in the future I can go and watch more.”
Ben Shelton: A Player Ruud Wouldn’t Want to Tackle
Ruud had some fun during media day when asked who on tour he would least want to face in a tackle. His choice? Ben Shelton, the rising American star, is known for his physicality and explosive play. While football might be his passion, that was not why Shelton is on Ruud’s list.
“Ben is just big and explosive. His movements are sometimes like, I’m not sure if he has full control of his own body sometimes because he’s so intense,” said Ruud, who had previously faced Shelton in a field goal-kicking challenge organized by the Dallas Open. “I wouldn’t wanna be defending against him.”
Ruud’s Debut Match at the Dallas Open
Ruud is seeded no. 2 behind Taylor Fritz at the tournament and will play the match against Marcos Giron in his opening encounter of the Dallas Open. The game is scheduled for the evening session on Tuesday as Ruud commences what he hopes will be a successful march through this exciting new event.
With a combination of his Norwegian perspective on Texas, his NFL fandom, and his tennis talent, Ruud is sure to bring his unique energy to the courts of Dallas and not just make a debut in sports but make history.
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