Building Blockx: Ruud on Blockx Unique Game
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, April 30, 2026
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook
Casper Ruud wasn’t surprised by Alexander Blockx’s jolting power, but was impressed by the Belgian’s all-court polish.
The 21-year-old Blockx showed his all-court aggression dethroning defending champion Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to become the first Belgian man in history to reach the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals.
After the 6’4″ Blockx snapped Ruud’s nine-match Madrid winning streak, the former world No. 1 said the Belgian’s court positioning and completeness surprised him.
“To be such a tall and big guy physically, I was a bit surprised that he stands quite far back in the
court,” Ruud said. “Which is like kind of untypical for somebody who has such a big serve. It’s more kind of typical to go big with the shots.
“He was kind of holding off more than I maybe thought every now and then. But that’s also the secret to success, and definitely it was today and has been this week.”
Blockx average first-serve speed was 130 mph and he spread the box on serve to set up his first strike. But the 2023 Australian Open boys’ champion showed his versatility replying to Ruud drop-shots with re-droppers, winning 11 of 13 trips to net and showing his flair for the forehand drive down the line.
Ruud said new Belgian No. 1 Blockx has all the tools to do damage on Tour for a long time.
“The climb, the rapid climb he has had to the top 100, and I think after this week he will probably be top 50 or even start smelling at top 40, top 30 in the world,” Ruud said. “I think he plays a really good and solid baseline game. He backs up his serving great. He can do very many things from baseline.
“Offensive, yes, he can come to the net; but also defending and moving well. I thought he read the game as well. I was really impressed with not just his serve but also the general baseline game that he had.”
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