BREAKING: Casper Ruud Withdraws From the US Open Just Minutes After the Tournament Begins
Casper Ruud has withdrawn from the US Open just minutes after play got underway on Sunday. The Norwegian finished runner-up in Flushing Meadows four years ago but will not be in action this year, pulling out due to a back injury.
Ruud was the No. 19 seed in New York, but there were concerns about his fitness when he retired mid-match at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month. He still took to the court alongside Diana Shnaider in the mixed doubles event earlier this week, reaching the semi-finals, but looked physically hampered.
The former world No. 2 was due to play Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round on Tuesday but withdrew on Sunday. He has been replaced by lucky loser Arthur Gea, who was the top seed in qualifying but lost to Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3 6-1 in the final round.
Announcing his withdrawal on social media, Ruud said: “Unfortunately, my back hasn’t healed as quickly as we had hoped. We’ve been optimistic that I would recover in time, but my team and I have decided that we need to think long term and give my body the time it needs.
“I’m very sad to announce that I have to withdraw from this year’s US Open singles event. It’s never easy to miss a Grand Slam, but I know this is the right decision.
I’ll take the time I need to recover properly and come back stronger. Thank you for all the support.
The former finalist becomes the 20th player to pull out of the US Open, joining the likes of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and top-40 stars Joao Fonseca, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Ugo Humbert.
Ruud would have liked his chances against Cerundolo had he been healthy. The 27-year-old beat the Argentine 6-1 6-2 at the Canadian Open just a few weeks ago. It’s been a relatively disappointing Grand Slam season for the Norwegian, who reached the fourth round in Melbourne and Paris before losing his opening match at Wimbledon.
The world No. 20 is currently part of Team Europe’s lineup for the Laver Cup, being staged in London’s O2 Arena from September 25 to 27. It now remains to be seen whether he recovers in time to compete.
