Former French Open finalist Casper Ruud survived a grueling first-round battle against oppressive Paris conditions to reach the second round. The Norwegian struggled with heat-related symptoms throughout his match, describing feelings of dizziness and fatigue that reminded him of a previous retirement due to heatstroke in Washington DC.

Ruud revealed he felt "like a zombie" during the fourth set and considered booking his flight home early. Instead, he strategically reduced his intensity to lower his pulse and body temperature, preserving enough energy to compete in the decisive fifth set. His tactical adjustment proved successful as he closed out the victory.

When asked about the significance of his win, the 27-year-old called it a mental victory above all. Ruud never gave up despite experiencing the same debilitating symptoms that forced his retirement years ago in DC. His ability to adapt mid-match while dealing with extreme heat demonstrated remarkable resilience.

This first-round survival sets up Ruud for another deep run at Roland Garros, where he previously finished as runner-up in 2022 and 2023. The French Open remains his best Grand Slam opportunity, and overcoming these early obstacles could prove crucial for his season trajectory.