Sport and politics mix for this top 10 player

“It is of course a controversial country in many ways, but there are also other countries that are controversial that we travel to and play in.”

Talking after his five-set victory over Spaniard Jaume Munar in the first round of the Australian Open, Ruud said athletes were entitled to their opinions.

“I said what I said, and I will stand for it, and maybe I’m also wrong, maybe I’ll change my mind, who knows?

“I mean, I’m still quite young, so there are still things I can learn, but I think it’s fair also for the reporter and journalist to try to give good answers and try to kind of explain how we’re thinking.”

Ruud has also been critical of the Norwegian government, accusing them of “shooting themselves in the foot” after they raised taxes.

“You’ve heard many times that you maybe shouldn’t get involved in it [politics], and not [have] too many opinions, but at the end of the day, I’m a Norwegian citizen just like anyone else and I have my view and I have my opinion on things I think we should be allowed to,” Ruud said.

“Because, I don’t like it when people are like, he’s an athlete, or she doesn’t know what she’s talking about because she only does sport.

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“We are also entitled to have an opinion, so whether you agree or not, I mean, in politics everyone kind of agrees or disagrees with each other, but there are certain things that I like, and I’m more focused on within politics.

“I’ve kind of said what I said, and I won’t be shy to talk about it again if it happens to feel natural for me.”

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