Casper Ruud reveals the secret to his “sexy” forehand in time for hard court return

WATCH: Host Nick Monroe welcomes Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud to the latest episode of Credentialed.

What’s the first word that comes to mind when you see Casper Ruud strike his signature forehand?

For Credentialed host Nick Monroe, it’s simply “sexy.”

“Whether it’s sexy or not, that’s not up for me to say,” Ruud said with a laugh, but wouldn’t dispute the shot’s efficiency—nor the crucial part it played in helping him make his Top 5 debut in June.

“I’m not the flashiest player, and I don’t do those unbelievable trick shots. I just do a lot of steadiness, heaviness. I have quite a high takeback and just try to rip it. I find it’s always easier to control when you hit it hard rather than soft.”

The 23-year-old rode some explosive forehands into his first major final earlier this spring, finishing runner-up to idol Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.

“I hadn’t had a big result at a Slam until Roland Garros, and that gave me even more confidence and belief in myself that I can hopefully do it again and play more finals, and that I’m finding my rhythm at the top level in the world.”

Ruud rebounded from a disappointing grass swing to pick up his ninth career title on clay in Gstaad, and now seeks to replicate his revelatory form on hard courts up north in Montréal.

His first title off clay came last summer in San Diego—helping him qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, where he reached the semifinals—and he began 2022 with a maiden Masters 1000 final in Miami, where he fell to an on-fire Carlos Alcaraz.

Check out the full interview with Ruud, who opens up about his evolving fashion sense and fellow Norwegian sports stars.