The recent graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024 at Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca marked a significant milestone. Among the graduates was Charlotte Ruud, the younger sister of Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud.
Casper Ruud, who enrolled in Nadal’s academy in 2018 when he held a ranking outside the top 100, has achieved remarkable success, securing 12 titles and reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 2. Since 2021, he has consistently maintained a presence in the world’s top 10 and has reached three Grand Slam finals.
Following in her brother’s footsteps, Charlotte Ruud joined the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2023 at the age of 18 and subsequently graduated from the academy this year. The graduation ceremony was graced by Rafael Nadal and his coach, Carlos Moya, who delivered inspiring speeches and congratulated the students.
Casper Ruud shared his joy and pride on Instagram, congratulating his sister on her achievements and her signing with the University of South Florida, where she will compete for the South Florida Bulls, marking another exciting chapter in her tennis journey.
As for the current statuses of Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud, Nadal, currently ranked world no. 264, played his last match on May 27, yielding to world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the 1st round of the French Open. He has managed an overall 7-5 record this year and is scheduled to play in Bastad (Nordea Open) after Wimbledon. Ruud, now ranked no. 7, played his last match on June 7, losing to world no. 4 Alexander Zverev in the semifinal of the French Open. He has a 39-10 win-loss record this year and is scheduled to compete at Wimbledon. The head-to-head record between Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud stands at 2-0 for Nadal, with their last match resulting in a victory for Nadal in November 2022.
The academy graduation serves to underscore the impact of institutions such as the Rafa Nadal Academy in nurturing young talent and guiding them towards success in the fiercely competitive world of professional tennis. Charlotte Ruud’s graduation not only attests to her dedication and hard work but also reflects the support and guidance provided by the academy and its illustrious founder, Rafael Nadal. Here’s to her bright future and many more accomplishments to come!