Casper Ruud offered an apology after defeating Jack Draper in the Madrid Open final last year. The 14th seed beat the British star 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to claim the most prestigious title of his career.
Following the match, Ruud told Sky Sports: 'Sorry to spoil the British party here tonight, but it was an incredible match. Jack has been kind of wiping everyone on the floor here in Madrid. I knew if I didn't bring my A+ game, it would be really tough.'
Ruud praised Draper, saying: 'Jack has become a threat on any surface. He's shown he can be a threat and understand the surface. He's really taken a big step.'
Draper, who won Indian Wells last year, withdrew from this year's Madrid Open. He said after the final: 'This sport is brutal but I will keep trying. This loss will make me better.'
