Casper Ruud returns for Madrid title defence after training at Rafa Nadal's academy

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ruud-casper/zN9UpRqp/"]Ruud[/a], who lifted his maiden Masters ‌1000 title in the Spanish capital last ‌year, sustained a leg injury and was forced to ‌retire from his third-round match at the Monte ‌Carlo Masters against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/auger-aliassime-felix/CzXh4LAb/"]Felix Auger-Aliassime[/a] earlier this month.[/p][p]The Norwegian then ramped up his comeback under the close watch of ‌22-times Grand Slam champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/nadal-rafael/xUwlUnRK/"]Nadal[/a].[/p][p][b]"I'm happy ⁠to say I'm fully ‌recovered,”[/b] Ruud said in Madrid.[/p][p][b]"I was a bit worried ​at first, I thought Madrid would be tough. But I've had good days of recovery. ​I spent a week in Mallorca, training at Rafa's academy and working on fitness off the ⁠court. I'm really ​pleased to be here, ready to compete again."[/b][/p][embed guid="34542174-9476-42d3-8c57-6373e2616010" url="https://x.com/MutuaMadridOpen/status/2046900858101584146" social-type="twitter" /][p]Ruud said he was inspired by the now-retired Nadal’s determination during a glittering playing career that came to an ‌end in 2024.[/p][p][b]“If there's one thing you can learn from him, it's determination,”[/b] Ruud added.[/p][p]“He never gave up, and he was able to win many matches without being at his best because he was so well prepared physically and mentally.[/p][p][b]"There are so many things you can learn from Rafa. This time, we didn't spend much time together on ‌court. He encouraged me to keep going and told ​me I have plenty to fight for ‌in the coming weeks."[/b][/p][p]Ruud begins his Madrid campaign against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/munar-jaume/zZieQm4D/"]Jaume Munar[/a] or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/shevchenko-alexander/jTIB3FIA/"]Alexander Shevchenko[/a] in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/munar-j-zZieQm4D/ruud-c-zN9UpRqp/?mid=ETYjfST8"]second round[/a].[/p][p]The twice French Open runner-up is eyeing a strong run in the weeks leading up ⁠to Roland Garros, ⁠which begins on May ‌24.[/p]