Casper Ruud posts compassionate note to Iga Swiatek on X after Pole's Madrid defeat

After advancing at the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday, Casper Ruud took time to acknowledge someone who didn't.

The Norwegian, who defeated Daniil Medvedev to advance to the semifinals, sent a note on X to Iga Swiatek after the Pole's one-sided, 6-1, 6-1 loss to Coco Gauff in their semifinal. The high-profile contest followed Ruud's victory on Manolo Santana Stadium.

Trailing Gauff 6-1, 3-0, a camera focused on Swiatek during a changeover, where she covered her face with a towel and appeared to be in tears. Swiatek, the three-time defending champion at Roland Garros, has not won a tournament since winning her fourth title on the terre battue, and had never lost a set to Gauff on clay. But with this stumble on her favorite surface, that title drought continues, and she could lose the No. 2 ranking to Gauff as soon as Monday.

It wasn't Swiatek's best day, as Ruud—who like Swiatek has reached multiple finals at Roland Garros—acknowledged in a heartfelt response to the video being posted on social media:

Hey @iga_swiatek keep your head up🙏🙏 Like millions of other people I love watching you play. Not your day today, but you inspire so many and you’ll be back stronger than ever!!😊🤩👏🎾

Swiatek was once 11-1 against Gauff, including a 6-3, 6-1 victory in the 2022 French Open final. But she has lost her last three matches to Coco, all in straight sets.

"I'm proud of\] the mentality I had through the whole match," she [said on-court afterward. "I think I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasn't her best level today but I think I kind of forced her into some awkward positions. I'm really happy with how I played today."

Ruud, who has reached three Grand Slam finals but has never won a title at the ATP Masters 1000 level, will face Francisco Cerundolo on Friday for a spot in Sunday's title match.

"Eight sets played and eight sets won, so I can't ask for anything better, honestly," said the 26-year-old world No. 15. "I've been beating some good players, and, yeah, really happy with the game today."