Casper Ruud and Sebastian Korda reignited a rivalry first sparked by their fathers, Christian Ruud and Petr Korda, at the Miami Open.
The second-generation ATP players competed in the third round of the 2025 Madrid Open, nearly 26 years after their fathers squared off at the 1999 Miami Open. The intriguing development drew a wave of reactions from the tennis fans.
Tennis Fans React to Sebastian Korda and Casper Rudd Reigniting Their Fathers’ Rivalry
As mentioned earlier, Petr and Christian competed at the 1999 Miami Open, with the latter eventually winning the contest, 6-2, 7-6. This was their first and only encounter on tour. Coincidentally, their sons renewed the rivalry, competing in the third round of the ongoing Madrid Open, with Ruud eventually winning 6-3, 6-3 to advance further in the event.
Several fans reacted to this update with one stating:
“They look exactly like their fathers so bizarre.”
They look exactly like their fathers so bizarre
— Jacquline (@Jacquline176878)
“Strange and Interesting. Petr Korda was a much better player, a Grand Slam winner, while Christian Ruud didn’t even win a single ATP tournament,” a fan chimed in.
Strange and Interesting. Petr Korda was a much better player, a Grand Slam winner, while Christian Ruud didn’t even win a single ATP tournament.
— Jiří Punčochář (@JiPunoch1)
“Both of them are a credit to their family – solid, well rounded and pure class. The way they carry themselves just any parents dream. Really lovely young men. Wishing them both well,” a fan commented.
Both of them are a credit to their family – solid, well rounded and pure class. The way they carry themselves just any parents dream. Really lovely young men. Wishing them both well.
— LGal72 (@GallantLaudine)
“Their pappies said copy and paste,” another wrote.
Their pappies said copy and paste https://t.co/sG044Sj0tH
— 𝔹𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕤𝕙𝕙𝕙… 𝔻𝔸ℕℂ𝔼 (@E_Teezey1286)
Maria Sakkari, daughter of former Greek player Angeliki Kanellopoulou, Leo Borg, son of 11-time Major champion Bjorn Borg, and Brandon Holt, son of former American star Tracy Austin, are among a few players who followed in their parents’ footsteps to play professional tennis.
Casper Ruud To Face Taylor Fritz in the Madrid Open 4R
Ruud has reached the fourth round of the 2025 Madrid Open, where he will face third seed Taylor Fritz. The Norwegian received a first-round bye in Madrid and thus faced Arthur Rinderknech in the second round. He defeated the Frenchman 6-3, 6-4, before getting the better of Korda in the third round.
Meanwhile, Fritz started his Madrid Open campaign with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Australia’s
Christopher O’Connell. The American received a walkover win against Benjamin Bonzi, after he retired mid-match on Sunday evening at the Caja Mágica.
Christopher O’Connell. The American received a walkover win against Benjamin Bonzi, after he retired mid-match on Sunday evening at the Caja Mágica.
The Madrid Open fourth-round clash will mark the fourth meeting between Ruud and Fritz, with the Norwegian holding a 2-1 head-to-head advantage. Whoever prevails will face either Daniil Medvedev or Brandon Nakashima in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open.
