"He's not setting foot into Rafa Nadal academy ever again" - Tennis fans react to Casper Ruud's comments on Real Madrid defeating Barcelona

World No. 5 Casper Ruud recently commented on the Copa del Rey semifinal match between arch-rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, in which Los Blancos triumphed in dominating fashion.

Barcelona's hopes of a domestic double were dashed on Wednesday (April 5) night when they were crushed 4-0 by Real Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie at the Spotify Camp Nou. After a strong start, Barca completely unraveled in a truly horrific second half, and the result meant that the Blaugrana's campaign in the cup was over.

Ruud was clearly dissatisfied with the outcome of the game and took to Twitter to express his displeasure, writing that he had never seen a team get away with more penalties and red cards than Real Madrid.

"Never seen a team get away with more penalties and red cards than Real," Ruud wrote. (Translated from Norwegian)

Tennis fans were amused by Ruud's remarks and took to Twitter to share their reactions. One user said that the Norwegian will never set foot in the Rafa Nadal academy again after this, as Nadal is a die-hard Real Madrid fan.

"Oh he’s not setting foot into that academy ever again after this," the user wrote.

Another user jokingly tagged the Spaniard in his comments and questioned how he could invite a player on a tour with him in Latin America when it was obvious that he did not support Madrid.

"@Rafaelnadal, that's who you invite on a tour to latam with you ?"

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:

---

Casper Ruud believes Rafael Nadal is the favorite to win 2023 French Open

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud pictured at the French Open 2022

Casper Ruud and Dominic Thiem recently sat down for an interview with Eurosport where he spoke about Rafael Nadal's chances at the 2023 French Open.

He pointed out how, in recent years, there have been talks about Nadal winning the Paris Major for the last time. Still, the Spaniard keeps proving everyone wrong by producing spectacular performances.

"The last five-six years, there has been talk that, 'This will be the last year that Rafa wins Roland Garros, someone else is going to win this year, he's tired, he's hurt, he's old'," Ruud said. "It just seems like he's built for those conditions, playing best-of-five sets. I remember the 2019 final against Dominic [Thiem] and I was thinking, 'What the hell can you do to beat him [Nadal]' because Rafa just had an answer to everything."

"The final of 2020 was also ridiculous, destroying Novak 6-0, 6-2, 7-5. In 2021, he lost to Novak, struggled a bit with the foot, I guess. And the final last year with me was obviously not very enjoyable score-wise for me but the match against Novak in the quarterfinals, just the level, it's just incredible," he added.

Ruud also stated that he and Thiem wouldn't be surprised if the 22-time Grand Slam winner performed at a "ridiculous level" once again to win his 15th French Open title in 2023.

"So I think Dominic and I can say that we wouldn't be surprised if Rafa came up with some ridiculous level once again and won for the 15th time because he will probably use these weeks and these months to prepare for Roland-Garros. The only thing that is probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy, and be ready for Roland-Garros," Ruud said.

The 2023 French Open will be played from May 28 to June 11.