By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, September 30, 2022
Casper Ruud wanted another shot at Rafael Nadal.
In November, the second-ranked Ruud will get five cracks at the king of clay.
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Grand Slam king Nadal and Ruud, who are good friends and sometime practice partners, will square off in five exhibition matches in South America in November.
The exo series begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 23rd. The exhibitions mean Nadal won't be playing for Spain in the Davis Cup Finals, set for November 22-27th in Malaga, Spain.
Roland Garros and US Open finalist Ruud announced the exo series posting this video with Nadal on Instagram.
"I want the Paris rematch with you," Ruud tells Nadal in the video.
"I'm going to give you five rematches, one in Buenos Aires, one in Quito, one in Bogota, one in Belo Horizonte and one in Mexico City," Nadal replies.
Ruling the red clay with resolve, a dynamic Nadal roared through 11 consecutive games demolishing Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the French Open final to win a record-extending 14th Roland Garros crown last June.
Two days after celebrating his 36th birthday, Nadal captured his 22nd career Grand Slam championship to become the oldest men’s champion in Roland Garros history. Nadal, who won his eighth major since celebrating his 30th birthday, surpassed fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno, who was 34 when he ruled Roland Garros 50 years ago.
On Monday, Nadal will surpass Ruud and regain the No. 2 spot in the rankings behind world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal is already world No. 2 in the ATP live rankings.
It marks the first time in 22 years compatriots occupy the top two spots in the ATP rankings. The last time it happened, Americans Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi topped the rankings back in 2000.
Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy