Mutua Madrid Open 2025: Jack Draper finishes runner-up to Casper Ruud

After managing to take the second set off the Norweigan, the British No.1 eventually lost out 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in a gruelling match lasting two hours and 30 minutes.

Despite missing out on a chance to claim his second Masters 1000 title of the season, Draper will leave Madrid with his head held high having broken into the world's top five for the first time in his career.

"I want to congratulate Casper - first ATP Masters win for you, I think you really deserved this," Draper said in his post-match interview. "Today you were braver than me in the key moments. You've put in so much hard work, consistently had good years on the tour and I want to congratulate you and the rest of your team on the hard work.

"This sport is brutal but this loss is going to make me better and I'll keep trying."

While Draper may have been the higher ranked of the two players heading into the final, the challenge of the Norwegian star wasn’t to be underestimated. A former world No.2 and three-time Grand Slam runner-up - today’s Mutua Madrid Open final marked Ruud’s 18th clay court final. 

Despite having more experience on the surface, Ruud showed some early signs of nerves, handing Draper an early break in the third game of the match after coughing up consecutive double faults.

Ruud eventually began to settle into the contest, finding himself up 30-0 on the Draper serve at 3-2. However, the British No.1 managed to use his athleticism to full effect, sprinting to the net to return a world-class volley before going on to earn a gutsy hold with a crunching forehand. 

However, a loose service came from the Brit as he stepped up to serve for the set, saw Ruud secure a late break back as Draper fired a long return. From then on out, it was the two-time Roland Garros runner-up who held all the momentum as he went on to seal a fourth consecutive game to steal the set from the Brit’s hands.

Both players battled toe-to-toe in the second, with neither showing signs of backing down.

After the Brit found himself 30-0 up on the Ruud serve at 3-3, he eventually found his breakthrough before stringing together a further two games to level up the scoreboard in a nail-biting final in the Spanish capital.

An intense third game of the decider saw Ruud ask plenty of questions to three-time ATP titleholder Draper. The pair tussled for the upper-hand by it was the world No.6 who stayed clinical in high-pressure moments to save three break points and escape unscathed.

The Norwegian continued to ramp up the intensity during his return games and was ultimately rewarded with the decisive break to edge ahead to a 4-2 lead before going on to claim his first Masters 1000 title and 12th on the clay.