Casper Ruud on Djokovic not playing the US Open: "I don’t see him as a threat to the public even though he’s not vaccinated"

Casper Ruud is honest in admitting that he feels sad for Novak Djokovic not being able to play but it's better for his chances.

Ruud has always been somewhat pragmatic in his approach to life and tennis as he often spoke honestly about how he feels. It was not always politically correct and neither was his final assessment of Djokovic missing the US Open. Speaking to Wilander and Schett leading up to the US Open, Ruud admitted that he personally gains from Djokovic not playing despite being sad for him.

"I think it’s sad that politics will get in his way, or these rules will get in his way. He’s chasing Rafa [Nadal] with one more ahead of him in the Grand Slam count, so he’s chasing history. I do think that it could be in the best interest of the country. He has won there many times before and he has brought a great crowd to the stadium."

And continued:

"You can argue that it's in the best interest of the country. He’s a big superstar. Having him and Rafa in the final would be so epic, because everyone knows what’s on the line. I do think it’s very sad [but] for me personally, I'm not crying about it. But as a colleague I’m sad about it."

To Ruud it makes very little sense not to have him there as he doesn't see him as any kind of threat to public safety despite not being vaccinated:

"I don’t see him as a threat to the public even though he’s not vaccinated."