Casper Ruud Claps Back at Media Over Bogus Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Quote

The Norwegian wasn’t about to let this slide. When a fan on X (formerly Twitter) called out TNT Sports—one of the biggest broadcasters in the game—for spreading the fake quote, Ruud jumped into the conversation faster than a first serve.

“As @AnnaK_4ever knows, I never said what TNT Sports claim I said. Video of the real quote is out there somewhere. This is #fakenews,” Ruud fired back on social media.

And you know what? The frustration is palpable, and it’s completely justified. This isn’t some random blog with three followers—this is a major sports broadcaster with actual credibility (or what used to be credibility) on the line.

What Ruud Actually Said About the ATP Schedule

Here’s the thing that makes this whole situation even more ridiculous: what Ruud actually said was way more nuanced and, frankly, more interesting than the manufactured nonsense that got published.

In his real post-match interview, the three-time Grand Slam finalist discussed the demanding nature of the ATP calendar, particularly for the guys at the very top. “So I think if you get to that level where you start looking at 50, 60, 70 plus matches a year it gets quite demanding at the end,” Ruud explained. “But yeah, except for maybe Alcaraz and Sinner who really does well almost every single week, we all have our hiccups and our earlier losses where we get to go home and these things.”

See the difference? Ruud was actually making a thoughtful point about how the schedule impacts different players in different ways. He wasn’t diminishing anyone or throwing shade—he was being real about the physical and mental toll of professional tennis.

The Stockholm Success Story

Before we get too deep into the media circus, let’s give credit where it’s due. Ruud’s performance in Stockholm was nothing short of impressive. The 26-year-old Norwegian took down some serious competition, including Marin Čilić, Denis Shapovalov, and Ugo Humbert, to claim his 14th career title and only his second on hardcourts.

This victory also marked his second title of 2025, following his breakthrough Masters 1000 win in Madrid back in May. Not too shabby for someone who’s supposedly struggling to bounce back from defeats, right?

Why This Matters More Than You Think

You might be thinking, “So what? Athletes deal with misquotes all the time.” And sure, that’s true. But here’s why this particular incident is worth paying attention to: it highlights a larger problem in sports media where speed trumps accuracy, and clicks matter more than credibility.

When major broadcasters like TNT Sports pick up fabricated quotes from “trash websites” (Ruud’s words, not mine—though I can’t say I disagree), it creates a domino effect. Suddenly, dozens of other outlets are repeating the same false information, and before you know it, the lie has traveled around the world while the truth is still lacing up its tennis shoes.

The Real Conversation About Schedule Demands

What’s particularly frustrating about this whole mess is that it completely derails a legitimate conversation that the tennis world desperately needs to have. Players across the board—including superstars like Alcaraz himself—have been vocal about the grueling ATP schedule that runs from January all the way through November.

Ruud’s actual comments about how the schedule affects different players based on their success rate? That’s interesting. That’s worth discussing. But instead, we got a fake quote that turned the conversation into something petty and divisive.

Ruud’s Grand Slam Ambitions

Despite the media drama, Ruud remains focused on his ultimate goal: winning a Grand Slam. After his Stockholm triumph, the Norwegian got refreshingly honest about his chances against the sport’s top dogs.

“If I can play this aggressive and with this kind of conviction in my game on a hard court I think I can challenge the best players in the world,” Ruud told reporters. “And that’s what you want to do. And of course we have two guys up front who are at times almost unplayable and unbeatable but at the same time they’re also human.”

As a three-time Grand Slam finalist—having reached the final at Roland Garros twice (2022 and 2023) and the US Open once (2022)—Ruud knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. And based on his recent form, writing him off would be a mistake.

Moving Forward

Ruud is currently competing at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, where he’s set to face Stan Wawrinka in the Round of 16. Hopefully, whatever happens on court, the media coverage will stick to, you know, what actually happens rather than making stuff up.

The whole incident serves as a reminder that in the age of instant content and social media, fact-checking seems to have become an optional luxury rather than a journalistic standard. When even major broadcasters are willing to run with unverified quotes from dubious sources, something’s seriously broken.

At least Ruud isn’t afraid to call it out. In a world where athletes often stay silent to avoid rocking the boat, his willingness to label this exactly what it is—fake news—is both refreshing and necessary. Because if we don’t hold media outlets accountable for basic accuracy, who will?