Tennis

Casper Ruud Withdraws From US Open Following Back Injury

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 30, 2026, 23:16 IST

Former US Open finalist Casper Ruud has officially withdrawn from the 2024 tournament due to a lingering back injury. The world No. 20 has been replaced in the draw by lucky loser Arthur Gea.

Casper Ruud Withdraws From US Open Following Back Injury

Casper Ruud, the 2022 US Open runner-up, has officially withdrawn from this year's tournament at Flushing Meadows. The Norwegian tennis star, currently ranked No. 20 in the world, cited a persistent back injury as the reason for his exit from the final Grand Slam event of the season.

The decision comes after a difficult period for the 25-year-old, who had previously been forced to retire during his opening match at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month. Despite attempting to prepare for the New York major, his physical condition remained a concern, with footage from recent practice sessions showing him experiencing visible discomfort while serving.

Draw Adjustment and Tournament Context

Following Ruud's withdrawal, tournament officials have confirmed that Arthur Gea will take his place in the main draw. Gea, who had previously been eliminated in the final round of the qualifying tournament, is now set to face Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the opening round.

Ruud’s absence marks a significant departure from the field, as he has been a consistent presence at the business end of major tournaments in recent years. His 2022 season was particularly notable, as he reached the final at both the French Open, where he was defeated by Rafael Nadal, and the US Open, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz. Those performances established him as a major contender on the global stage, making his early exit from this year's US Open a notable development for the tournament schedule.