Casper Ruud courts Canadian approval with maple leaf signature on Toronto camera lens

WATCH: Ruud spent more time having a Bob Ross moment than he did on court against Lehecka on Tuesday.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a painstakingly crafted maple leaf on a camera lens?

Casper Ruud played an impromptu game of Pictionary™ following his opening-round victory at the National Bank Open, eschewing the traditional signature for a diligently-drawn bright-green maple leaf, surly done in tribute to the Canadian public.

What initially looked like a round of Hangman soon became clear—or syrupy?—as Ruud, who has been getting in the Canadian spirit since throwing the first pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays game, drew inspiration from the leaves prominently placed throughout the Sobeys Stadium after defeating Czech youngster Jiri Lehecka, 7-6 (6), 6-4.

Back in Toronto for the first time since 2021, the former world No. 2 has enjoyed much success up North since making his Top 10 debut, reaching the quarterfinals or better in his last two appearances, and reached the semifinals last summer in Montréal—falling in three sets to Hubert Hurkacz.

Players have gotten increasingly more creative with the traditional camera lens signature in 2023, whether it’s Taylor Fritz making a crude padlock at the Australian Open or Iga Swiatek asking for a second go when her own attempt at improv didn’t quite go according to plan.

With action in both Toronto and Montréal only just underway, might we see more Canadian-themed signatures this week? A hockey goal? A Mountie hat? A remarkably realistic portrait of Carly Rae Jepsen? The possibilities are endless.