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.”