US Open blow as former finalist withdraws from tournament before his campaign begins

Sunday, 30 August 2026 at 17:45

Casper Ruud has withdrawn from the US Open at the last minute, with the Norwegian replaced in the main draw by lucky loser Arthur Gea. His withdrawal came only minutes before his scheduled first-round match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, confirming concerns that had already emerged during his preparations in New York.

Ruud had repeatedly stopped during practice sessions this week and was not moving freely, with his back appearing to be an issue. Those concerns ultimately proved justified, as the former world No. 2 was unable to take his place on court for the opening match of the tournament.

The Norwegian's withdrawal comes after a difficult period on the ATP Tour. Ruud recently lost to Joao Fonseca in the third round of the Canadian Open before retiring from his Cincinnati Masters debut against Christopher O'Connell, when he was trailing 5-7, 2-1.

Ruud had also competed in the US Open mixed doubles event last week alongside Diana Shnaider after Iga Swiatek's late withdrawal. The pair defeated Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula 4-2, 4-1 before losing to Andrey Rublev and Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals 1-4, 5-4, 10-5.

Arthur Gea gets unexpected opportunity

Ruud's withdrawal opens the door for Gea, who entered the tournament as a lucky loser and will now face Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round.

For Ruud, meanwhile, the immediate ranking damage will be limited. He will lose only 50 points, having reached the second round in New York last year. He currently sits at No. 18 in the live ATP rankings, two places above his official No. 20 ranking, although that position could change as the tournament progresses.

US Open update:
OUT: Ruud
IN: Gea (LL, will play against JM Cerundolo)
— Entry List Updates (@EntryLists) August 30, 2026

The bigger concern is the continuation of a difficult Grand Slam stretch for the Norwegian. After reaching three major finals between 2022 and 2023, Ruud has struggled to reproduce that level at the biggest tournaments.

Since reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros in 2024, he has not advanced beyond the fourth round in his last eight Grand Slam appearances. His best results at the majors this season have also been fourth-round runs at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

The extent of Ruud's back problem is not yet known, and his schedule for the beginning of the Asian swing remains unclear. His US Open campaign, however, has ended before it could even begin, while Gea now gets an unexpected chance to make his mark in New York.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

British tennis is in crisis — and the US Open has just made it official

“I had more space in my head”: Iga Swiatek explains what changed after difficult 2026 season