Ruud to the top of the world ranking – VG

Casper Ruud (17) climbed today on first place in the world rankings for juniors in tennis.

PROMISING OUTLOOK: Casper Ruud had a good season in 2015, and now he started in 2016 to take a rose up the rankings. Photo: Frode Hansen , VG

The Norwegian got the best possible start in 2016 after a great 2015 on the tennis court. The former world number one Taylor Fritz is too old for the junior rankings and thus takes Ruud over first place.

– I was aiming to get in the top ten in 2015, so being number one is very fun, but it are small margins and gain points that separates. It’s a good feeling and it gives the respect of the opponent, says Ruud said.

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Ruud has impressed in 2015 to take its first senior points. In addition, he came to the quarterfinals of the US Open Junior Championships and won the prestigious junior tournament Osaka Majors Cup, which has led tennis talent to the top.

– We must be proud and thrilled. It is important for Casper and it is important for Norwegian tennis. It will be noticed internationally and is perhaps more important for smaller nations where tennis is not so great, says sports director in Norwegian Tennis Association, Øivind Sørvald said.

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Tired

Ruud has long had a dream of becoming number one in the junior rankings. It is still not certain that the youngster immediately will be looking to defend first place. Tennis talent not travel to Melbourne to play junior edition of the Australian Open mid January.

– Casper played many tournaments last year and have not had so many long training periods. There are some he needs now and we have to be a little reasonable, although bitterly that Australian Open bust. I think it is a smart decision for the long term. He has a long career ahead of him. Only now it starts, says father and trainer Christian Ruud said.

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Sport Chief Sørvald, which is one of the world leaders in video analysis and work closely with world stars in tennis, I think the decision is wise. There are the six best junior performance throughout the next year that counts.

– This shows that they are thinking of development primarily. Casper knows

that he only has reached an intermediate goals on the way to the target.

– He will probably play the other Grand Slam tournaments and get enough points in that respect, but defends probably not the position immediately . He may soon be number ten at one month. In April, he was invited to a playoff in China for the eight best juniors, says Sørvald.

Various roads

Not all juniors focus necessarily on junior rankings. Many go straight into the senior tournaments, but a top position among the younger athletes has not been a disadvantage over the years. Among those who have topped the rankings are Martina Hingis, Andy Roddick and Roger Federer.

– It is true that you go different ways, such as Viktor Durasovic made. Meanwhile, it turns out that the top ten in the junior rankings in percentage often when very much later, says Sørvald.

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Although Ruud is the world’s best junior, it will probably take a long time before he settles into the world top on senior side. The average age for breakthrough in tennis world is increasing.

– It is important to have patience. Casper is well on its way, but he faces a mentally and physically demanding job, says Sørvald.

This year Ruud play more senior tournaments. The new world number one junior side are not intimidated by the level he barely got to try on in the fall.

– I should be able to win three to four 10,000-dollar tournament in 2016, at least one or two, quit Ruud.

The official rankings will be made public until Monday, but it is already certain that Ruud takes over first place.