Fold, stuff and skip the pate: The packing rules of a tennis champion

With rivals taking the sky-high road, Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud is happy staying closer to earth when it comes to sponsorship deals.

Ruud’s leaving the private jet, set to rival Spanish champion Carlos Alcaraz, who last week unveiled his own custom monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunk in his role as ambassador for the luxury label. Versions of the trunk are available for €150,000 ($246,000),

In the bag. Samsonite global ambassador Casper Ruud with a collection of Proxis luggage at Myer, Melbourne.Credit: Paul Jeffers

Promoting a Samsonite collection with a $649 bag – created to triumph in the battle for supremacy in overhead baggage – is Ruud’s down-to-earth off-court strategy. Instead of a monogram, the bag is tennis ball green.

“With partnerships I’m looking for something that resembles the lifestyle I have,” Ruud says, before launching the collection of Proxis luggage in Myer’s Melbourne flagship.

“No offence to the baggage handling guys at the airports, but they don’t typically handle the luggage nicely.”

“They throw it around, so I’m continually looking for a strong, durable suitcase.”

Ruud’s packing style differs from the polished images of Alcaraz beside his trunk, with neat hanging space and pristine drawers.

“Usually, I’m rushing when I pack,” he says. “I try to fold but a lot of the time I end up stuffing things in because you’re taking off at the last minute. You get a lot of things sweaty on a trip, so that’s often thrown in at the last moment.”

“By the time you get to your last practice shirt you’ve had enough – just stuff it.”

With fragrant T-shirts and shorts, Ruud goes out of his way to pack items that won’t upset the noses of quarantine officers at Australian airports.

“I would like to bring Norway’s version of Vegemite with me – it’s like a pate spread – but you’re banned from bringing it in.”

“I also pack a liquid pre-tape. That’s what you need good luggage for. If that bursts, it goes everywhere.”

Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz with his custom Louis Vuitton trunk.  Supplied: Louis Vuitton

There is plenty of room for tennis players on all levels of the fashion space with the sports sponsorship market projected to grow from $63.1 billion in 2021 to $109.1 billion by 2030, according to PwC.

Wimbledon winner Alcaraz signed with Louis Vuitton in June and has appeared in campaigns for the label and Calvin Klein underwear.

Ruud has tried high fashion, posing for Vogue Scandinavia last year but is happier gripping luggage for photos that pouting in bathtubs.

“I’m more comfortable with this,” he says. “I was really out of my comfort zone there.”

While Alcaraz has Louis Vuitton, Naomi Osaka works with TAG Heuer watches, Richard Mille works with US player Sebastian Korda and Bulgari has Andrey Rublev, working as a global ambassador for Samsonite is the closest Ruud has come to the fashion space. His other sponsors include Norwegian financial and tech companies, salmon farmers and a humanitarian group.

“I would like to be remembered as a nice and easygoing guy,” he says. “I try to show some of my qualities from off the court in my relationships with sponsors.”

“I’m trying to improve myself as a player and a human.”

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