Casper Ruud explains Norway's "completely Texas" saying ahead of Dallas Open debut

FRISCO, Texas—When it comes to famous sayings, 'everything's bigger in Texas’ is as well known as they come in the U.S.

While there may be some truth to that expression, as Casper Ruud explains, Norwegians have their own unique way of acknowledging the Lone Star State.

“it's funny because we have a saying in Norway about Texas. When something is like very chaotic or big or like, not in control, you would say that it's like something is completely Texas. It’s the translation directly from the region,” he shares during our media day interview for Tennis Channel in Frisco, Texas.

Ruud has visited Texas just once before. The Oslo native’s trip to Houston in 2019 proved to be a memorable one, as it marked the site of his first ATP final.

“I think it's a cool state,” he says. “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.”

The world No. 5 picked a favorable year to debut at the Dallas Open, with the tournament celebrating its first year as an ATP 500. This week, tennis has taken over Ford Center at The Star, where the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters are located.

We have a saying in Norway about Texas. When something is like very chaotic or big or like, not in control, you would say that it's like something is completely Texas. Casper Ruud

Ruud keeps up with the NFL when scheduling permits, holding an allegiance to another NFC team not named the Cowboys.

“I watch when I can. 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,” he shares. “I will definitely watch the Super Bowl next weekend, and my personal favorite team is the Buccaneers. My grandparents, they had a house in Tampa, and we went there almost every Christmas.

“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.”

As for taking the field? When asked which player on tour he wouldn’t want to see on the opposing line in a tackle situation, Ruud tipped Ben Shelton. The American's first love was the gridiron, but that wasn’t the reason behind the 27-year-old's selection.

“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,” says Ruud, who went head-to-head with Shelton in a field goal kicking challenge organized by the Dallas Open. “I wouldn't wanna be defending against him.”

Seeded No. 2 behind Taylor Fritz, Ruud faces Marcos Giron in his event debut to close out Tuesday evening's action.