Taylor Fritz Roasts Casper Ruud on Social Media After Italian Open Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated May 18, 2025 8:02 AM ET

Tennis may be a fiercely competitive sport, but that doesn’t stop players from having a bit of fun—especially on social media. After Casper Ruud’s lopsided loss to Jannik Sinner at the Italian Open, American ATP star Taylor Fritz took the opportunity to deliver a humorous jab at his friend and rival.

Ruud, the two-time Roland Garros finalist and one of the tour’s top clay-court players, managed to win just one game in a surprisingly one-sided defeat to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The final score line—6-0, 6-1—left fans stunned, and social media buzzing.

Fritz, never one to shy away from online banter, jumped into the conversation with a sarcastic comment that quickly went viral.

“You almost had him,” Fritz wrote in an Instagram comment under a post highlighting the match.

Taylor pic.twitter.com/Ga1hXw0wNE
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) May 17, 2025

The comment, delivered with perfect comedic timing, drew laughter from fans and players alike. While clearly a roast, the light tone suggested no malice, just classic locker room humor among friends.

Fritz and Ruud, both born in the late 1990s and part of the ATP’s new guard, have shared several battles on court and built a rapport off it.

The playful dig also highlights the growing trend of tennis players embracing social media to show personality, connect with fans, and keep the sport engaging—even after difficult losses.

As the tour heads into Roland Garros, both Ruud and Fritz will be looking to back up their off-court personalities with strong on-court results. With no clear favorite this year at the Roland Garros, both will look to make deep runs into the French Open.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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