Game plan
Casper Ruud v Rafael Nadal
Every number combines what Casper Ruud does well with what Rafael Nadal allows, each measured against the tour average and shrunk toward it when the sample is thin. Flip perspective
Forecast
Each player's serve and return strength is fitted against every opponent they were charted against, so a record built on weak opponents counts for less. At least one of them is no longer active or has too little charted in the last three seasons, so both are compared on their careers. The result is then nudged by Casper Ruud's record against Rafael Nadal's tactical lookalikes and in their charted head-to-heads (lookalikes: +0.3 on serve, −0.4 on return vs expectation (1267 points); head-to-head: −7.8 on serve, −8.7 on return vs expectation (268 points)). A game-by-game Markov chain turns point odds into match odds; the 90% range covers the uncertainty in the two strengths, not the nudges. Charted matches lean toward big events, so treat this as a scouting estimate, not a betting line.
Head to head, per 100 shots
| Career | Casper | Rafael |
|---|---|---|
| Direction choice | −0.03 ±0.05 better than 49% | +0.02 ±0.03 better than 62% |
| Shot selection | −0.02 ±0.09 better than 51% | +0.38 ±0.05 better than 85% |
| Execution | +0.87 ±0.19 better than 93% | +1.32 ±0.10 better than 99% |
| Points left on the table | 2.68 ±0.08 lower than 40% | 2.66 ±0.04 lower than 43% |
Each player's career against an average tour player in the same position, adjusted for opponent strength, with a 90% margin (shots clustered by match). Points left on the table is the gap to the best-value direction for the same stroke, so lower is better. Percentiles are within each player's own tour. A side is highlighted only when the gap is larger than the margin on the difference.
Structural compatibility
Expected edge per 100 rally shots from style alone: Casper Ruud +1.03, Rafael Nadal +1.56. Each player's shot mix weighted by their own skill with each shot and by how much the other gives up against it. This is why some rankings gaps don't hold in a given matchup.
Serve plan
The share of points the server wins when a first serve lands in that direction (hover a rate for its 90% interval; ± is the 90% margin). "Matchup" combines the server's rate with how this returner handles that serve. "Optimal" is the mix that wins most against this returner once they start reading a habit, at the response measured across the tour, and only within the range servers' habits actually vary. The gain over the current mix is how exploitable that mix is.
Casper Ruud serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Casper wins | v Rafael | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 48% | 75% | 66% | 68.9%±2.0 | 44% ▼ |
| Body | 9% | 64% | 58% | 58.6%±4.3 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 43% | 78% | 74% | 76.8%±1.9 | 56% ▲ |
Optimal v Rafael Nadal: +1.0±0.4 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +5.5 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Casper wins | v Rafael | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 52% | 71% | 71% | 69.7%±2.1 | 46% ▼ |
| Body | 7% | 60% | 57% | 54.3%±5.1 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 41% | 72% | 66% | 65.9%±2.2 | 54% ▲ |
Optimal v Rafael Nadal: +0.7±0.3 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving wide every time would read +2.6 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Rafael Nadal serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Rafael wins | v Casper | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 31% | 75% | 73% | 74.6%±2.0 | 44% ▲ |
| Body | 18% | 64% | 63% | 63.7%±4.0 | 5% ▼ |
| T | 51% | 69% | 74% | 67.8%±2.1 | 51% |
Optimal v Casper Ruud: +0.8±0.5 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving wide every time would read +5.5 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Rafael wins | v Casper | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 54% | 71% | 71% | 69.2%±1.9 | 54% |
| Body | 18% | 67% | 62% | 66.0%±4.1 | 5% ▼ |
| T | 28% | 75% | 73% | 75.7%±2.2 | 41% ▲ |
Optimal v Casper Ruud: +0.6±0.5 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +5.2 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Return plan
Value of each return, in points per 100 returns against an average return of the same serve (direction, court, surface): the tour's result with that return, the returner's own edge with it, and what this server gives up when it comes back to that side. Returns with no charted direction are left out, so values compare with each other rather than with zero. Depth isn't a choice here: missed returns have no depth. Serve quality isn't charted, so a block through the middle partly reflects the serve that forced it.
Casper Ruud returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Rafael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 37% | +4.3 | +0.7 | −0.9 | +4.1±1.1 |
| FH slice through the middle | 27% | −4.2 | −0.7 | ±0.0 | −4.9±1.4 |
| FH down the line | 13% | +1.7 | +1.2 | +0.1 | +2.9±2.6 |
| FH crosscourt | 11% | +5.5 | −1.3 | +1.7 | +5.9±2.5 |
| FH slice down the line | 8% | −4.3 | +1.5 | −3.6 | −6.4±2.9 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +5.3±2.3 per 100 returns v the current mix (2447 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Rafael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 44% | +6.4 | +1.2 | +0.7 | +8.3±0.9 |
| BH crosscourt | 31% | +8.8 | +2.4 | +4.3 | +15.5±1.4 |
| BH slice through the middle | 10% | −4.2 | −1.7 | +1.9 | −4.0±1.4 |
| BH down the line | 8% | +4.2 | +3.2 | −1.0 | +6.4±2.7 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 5% | +0.5 | −0.7 | +3.6 | +3.5±2.2 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +7.0±1.1 per 100 returns v the current mix (3085 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Rafael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 48% | −3.5 | +1.8 | −0.4 | −2.1±1.5 |
| FH crosscourt | 30% | −0.2 | +1.1 | −0.7 | +0.2±2.8 |
| FH down the line | 16% | −1.8 | +0.8 | +0.4 | −0.5±3.5 |
| FH slice through the middle | 5% | −12.7 | +0.2 | +0.1 | −12.4±2.4 |
| BH through the middle | 1% | +0.1 | +0.3 | +0.1 | +0.5±1.0 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +1.9±2.1 per 100 returns v the current mix (709 returns charted, inside the 90% margin)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Rafael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH crosscourt | 31% | +1.0 | +0.4 | −0.2 | +1.2±1.5 |
| BH through the middle | 25% | −2.9 | −1.2 | +0.1 | −3.9±1.1 |
| FH through the middle | 17% | −2.9 | −0.2 | −0.4 | −3.5±1.2 |
| FH inside-in | 10% | +0.6 | +2.1 | −0.7 | +1.9±2.7 |
| FH inside-out | 9% | +1.0 | −1.6 | +0.4 | −0.2±2.5 |
Lean FH inside-in: +3.3±2.5 per 100 returns v the current mix (2232 returns charted)
Rafael Nadal returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Casper | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 46% | +4.3 | +0.4 | +0.8 | +5.4±1.0 |
| FH crosscourt | 31% | +5.5 | +2.4 | −3.0 | +5.0±1.9 |
| FH down the line | 16% | +1.7 | −0.8 | +2.7 | +3.6±2.3 |
| FH slice through the middle | 3% | −4.2 | +0.1 | −1.0 | −5.1±1.8 |
| FH slice crosscourt | 2% | −4.3 | +7.5 | +0.3 | +3.4±2.7 |
| BH through the middle | 0% | +6.6 | +0.4 | +0.7 | +7.6±2.0 |
Lean BH through the middle: +3.1±2.2 per 100 returns v the current mix (5711 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Casper | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 38% | +6.4 | −0.2 | +0.7 | +6.9±0.9 |
| BH crosscourt | 19% | +8.8 | −1.2 | −0.4 | +7.2±1.8 |
| BH slice through the middle | 17% | −4.2 | +2.1 | −1.0 | −3.1±1.3 |
| BH down the line | 15% | +4.2 | +3.3 | −0.3 | +7.3±1.9 |
| BH slice down the line | 7% | −8.4 | +5.7 | −1.1 | −3.9±2.3 |
| FH through the middle | 1% | +7.7 | +2.5 | +0.8 | +11.0±2.0 |
Lean FH through the middle: +6.7±2.1 per 100 returns v the current mix (9039 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Casper | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH crosscourt | 48% | −0.2 | +0.7 | −1.8 | −1.4±2.7 |
| FH through the middle | 33% | −3.5 | −2.6 | +0.4 | −5.7±1.6 |
| FH down the line | 17% | −1.8 | +3.8 | −4.0 | −1.9±3.3 |
| BH inside-out | 1% | +0.9 | +0.3 | −1.0 | +0.2±2.8 |
| FH slice through the middle | 1% | −12.7 | −0.2 | −0.7 | −13.5±2.1 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +1.6±1.6 per 100 returns v the current mix (2037 returns charted, inside the 90% margin)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Casper | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 35% | −2.9 | +2.0 | ±0.0 | −0.9±0.9 |
| BH crosscourt | 28% | +1.0 | −1.0 | +3.4 | +3.4±1.7 |
| BH down the line | 17% | −0.2 | +1.8 | −1.0 | +0.6±2.1 |
| FH through the middle | 9% | −2.9 | +1.2 | +0.4 | −1.2±1.4 |
| FH inside-in | 8% | +0.6 | +1.5 | −1.8 | +0.3±3.0 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +2.9±1.4 per 100 returns v the current mix (5854 returns charted)
Rally plan
Edge, in points per 100 shots: the hitter's skill with the shot (own) plus how much the receiver usually gives up against it (theirs), both measured against the tour average.
Casper Ruud
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH volley to their forehand · rally | +12.6±4.2 | +5.5 | +7.1 |
| FH lob to their backhand · rally | +7.5±4.5 | +2.5 | +5.0 |
| FH volley to their backhand · rally | +7.3±3.9 | +3.8 | +3.5 |
| BH to their forehand · return | +5.7±2.0 | +2.6 | +3.1 |
| BH slice to their forehand · return +1 | +4.8±2.7 | +2.0 | +2.8 |
| FH to their backhand · return +1 | +4.7±1.5 | +2.9 | +1.8 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH volley to their forehand · rally | −8.6±3.6 | −1.6 | −7.0 |
| BH volley to their backhand · rally | −7.2±4.0 | −2.0 | −5.2 |
| BH lob to their backhand · return +1 | −5.0±4.2 | −0.4 | −4.6 |
| BH slice to their backhand · rally | −3.7±1.0 | +0.1 | −3.8 |
| FH drop shot to their forehand · serve +1 | −3.3±5.3 | −3.3 | ±0.0 |
Rafael Nadal
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH volley to the middle · rally | +11.8±5.3 | +8.0 | +3.8 |
| BH volley to their forehand · rally | +10.7±4.1 | +11.2 | −0.5 |
| FH volley to their backhand · rally | +9.1±4.1 | +9.1 | ±0.0 |
| BH volley to their forehand · serve +1 | +8.4±5.3 | +6.9 | +1.5 |
| BH drop shot to their backhand · rally | +6.9±4.1 | +5.0 | +1.9 |
| FH slice to their backhand · return | +5.9±2.9 | +5.7 | +0.2 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH volley to their backhand · serve +1 | −8.2±4.9 | −3.0 | −5.2 |
| FH slice to their forehand · rally | −5.1±3.3 | −4.6 | −0.5 |
| BH slice to their backhand · serve +1 | −4.1±2.5 | −1.1 | −3.0 |
| BH slice to their backhand · rally | −3.6±1.2 | −0.9 | −2.6 |
| BH slice to their backhand · return +1 | −2.7±1.7 | −0.9 | −1.8 |
Against Rafael Nadal-like opponents
| Casper Ruud v | Matches | Serve pts won | Return pts won |
|---|---|---|---|
| All charted opponents | – | 66.3% | 36.7% |
| Players most similar to Rafael Nadal | 9 | 67.0% | 38.1% |
| Rafael Nadal (charted head-to-head) | 2 | 54.1% | 24.6% |
Similar by tactical fingerprint: Cameron Norrie, Lorenzo Musetti, Mariano Navone, Yoshihito Nishioka, Albert Ramos, Federico Delbonis, Fernando Verdasco, Juan Martin Del Potro, Nikolay Davydenko, Juan Carlos Ferrero. When two players have rarely met, their records against these lookalikes fill the gap.