The World Tennis League is taking place this week with the final on Christmas Eve between Kites and Eagles. But Casper Ruud eliminated his own team from contention despite actually winning his match against Grigor Dimitrov due to the bizarre rules.
Ruud winning 6-4 instead of dragging it to the super tie-break meant that his team lost out despite him defeating Dimitrov for the Kites. This tie-break would've given them the chance to earn bonus points. As a result, he was hilariously booed by his own team comprising Hubert Hurkacz, Caroline Garcia and Iga Swiatek when he returned.
Ruud though knew his fate as he was stood ready to receive on match point and he was technically planning to sabotage the point as a result of the potential chance for it to go over way.
But instead Dimitrov looped it over the top out after a forehand down the line was returned. He knew exactly what it meant in his post-match interview. "I had the chance to win this set so I just went for it. Most of the time my backhand down the line doesn’t work but on match point it worked so I was a bit lucky— or unlucky," said Ruud.
As a result, it is Aryna Sabalenka's Kites who will take on Daniil Medvedev's Eagles on Christmas Eve in the final. The former lost to the fallen Hawks 20-19 in that bizarre rule quirk as Eagles narrowly defeated Falcons 22-18. The loss of Elena Rybakina affecting the early pace setters.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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