The Norwegian star’s return hasn’t been straightforward. Earlier this month, a leg injury forced him to slow down during the Monte Carlo Masters a setback that could have easily shaken his rhythm. Instead, it seems to have sharpened his focus.

Ruud turned to none other than Rafael Nadal for a reset. Training briefly at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, Ruud didn’t just work on fitness, he absorbed something deeper. The kind of mindset that has defined Nadal’s career: quiet resilience, relentless preparation, and an almost stubborn refusal to fade.

Speaking in Madrid, Ruud kept it simple but telling. He said Nadal’s approach both mental and physical left a strong mark on him. More importantly, the Spanish legend reminded him that the coming weeks still hold plenty to fight for.

That message seems to have landed. Now fully fit, Ruud arrives in Madrid not just as a defending champion, but as a player with renewed clarity. There’s less noise, less pressure to prove and more focus on the process.

And just around the corner lies a bigger test: the French Open, starting May 24. For Ruud, Madrid isn’t just another stop. It’s a proving ground, a place to rebuild momentum before the season’s most demanding stage.

What this comeback really shows is simple setbacks don’t always derail you. Sometimes, they refine you. And if Ruud carries even a fraction of Nadal’s fighting spirit onto the court, Madrid might just witness something special again.