Casper Ruud’s US Open fitness doubtful after practice cut short by back injury
Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud has sparked fresh concerns about his US Open fitness after prematurely ending a practice session on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, just days before the Grand Slam tournament begins. The world No. 20, a finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2022, is grappling with a recurring back injury that threatens to derail his campaign.
His recent struggles culminate a challenging year for the 27-year-old, whose form has been a shadow of his previous career highs. The abbreviated practice, marked by visible discomfort, intensified speculation about his readiness for one of tennis’s most demanding events.
Casper Ruud US Open fitness and injury concerns
The latest alarm bells sounded when Ruud cut short a scheduled two-hour practice session with Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry. He lasted only 50 minutes on court, managing a mere 11 minutes of serving before calling it quits, reportedly grimacing in pain and stretching his back repeatedly.
Witnesses noted his serve was “non-existent” and even his groundstrokes appeared “excruciating,” painting a worrying picture for a player reliant on power and consistency. This incident on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, came less than 24 hours before the US Open draw in New York.
Early Exit at Cincinnati Masters
This isn’t the first recent instance of Ruud’s back causing issues. Just two weeks prior, on August 16, 2026, he retired from his first match at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 against Australian qualifier Christopher O’Connell. Ruud, then ranked world No. 17, had dropped the first set 7-5 and was leading 2-1 in the second when he pulled out.
He had called a medical timeout for a back issue after the first set, and despite attempting to continue, persistent pain and unusually low serving speeds forced his hand. It was a precautionary measure, he said, aimed at not jeopardizing his participation in the US Open, but the discomfort in his lumbar/abdominal area clearly lingers.
Mixed Doubles Woes and Serving Struggles
Further signs of trouble emerged during his US Open mixed doubles stint alongside Diana Shnaider. While the pair managed to win their opening-round match against Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula, Ruud’s serve was noticeably hampered throughout the contest. He had originally been slated to play with Iga Swiatek, who later withdrew.
His serving difficulties became particularly pivotal in their subsequent loss to Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev. Ruud found himself unable to generate easy points, highlighting a vulnerability that could prove critical in singles play. These on-court observations directly align with the recent practice session’s concerns.
A Season of Setbacks for the Norwegian Star
Casper Ruud’s 2026 season has been a challenging one, marked by a noticeable dip in form and a struggle to secure titles. His current ATP ranking of world No. 20 is a significant drop from his career-high of World No. 2, which he achieved in September 2022.
The 27-year-old has compiled a 25–16 record across 41 matches in 2026, equating to a 61.0% win rate, but he has yet to lift any trophies this year. This lack of silverware stands in stark contrast to his past success, which includes 14 ATP Tour singles titles, such as the prestigious 2025 Madrid Open.
2026 Performance and Ranking Drop
His hard court performance this season has been particularly underwhelming, with a 8-9 record (47.1% win rate). While he’s reached one final, two semifinals, and five quarterfinals, these haven’t translated into tournament victories. Against ATP Top 10 players in 2026, Ruud holds a 2–4 record, a 33.3% win rate, indicating a struggle against the sport’s elite.
The persistent physical issues, alongside an inability to close out matches against top competition, have clearly impacted his standing. For fans watching team roster adjustments in other sports, the impact of injury on player performance is a familiar narrative.
Previous Injury Issues This Year
The back injury isn’t the only physical setback Casper Ruud has encountered in 2026. Earlier in the season, a calf injury forced him to retire from a match against Felix Auger-Aliassime in Monte Carlo.
That same calf issue also led to his withdrawal from the Barcelona tournament, underscoring a season plagued by fitness woes. These recurring problems raise questions about his long-term physical durability and ability to maintain peak performance over an entire Grand Slam fortnight.
The Shadow of Past US Open Success
Despite his current struggles, Casper Ruud carries the weight of past success at the US Open, a tournament where he unexpectedly reached the final in 2022. This impressive run showcased his capability on hard courts, contradicting the common perception that he is solely a clay-court specialist.
His journey to that final was a testament to his evolving game. He secured victories against notable opponents like Kyle Edmund, Tim van Rijthoven, Tommy Paul in a five-set thriller, Corentin Moutet, and Matteo Berrettini, before ultimately overcoming Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals.
2022 Final Run on Hard Courts
The 2022 US Open final saw Ruud face off against a then 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who clinched the title and became the youngest-ever world number one. While Ruud ultimately fell short, that performance solidified his status as a legitimate threat on hard courts and hinted at a more versatile game than many had given him credit for.
That tournament demonstrated his ability to grind through tough matches and perform under pressure on a surface not traditionally considered his strongest. It offered a glimpse of his ambition to win a major outside of the clay courts he so often dominates.
Clay Court Dominance vs. Hard Court Potential
Ruud has famously found his greatest success on clay, reaching two Roland Garros finals (2022 and 2023), where he lost to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic respectively. His comfort and prowess on the red dirt are undeniable, leading many to categorize him predominantly as a clay-court player.
However, his 2022 US Open run challenged that narrative, suggesting a significant hard-court potential that has largely gone unfulfilled since. This year’s hard-court season, culminating in his current injury concerns, has unfortunately dimmed hopes that he might replicate or even surpass that past Flushing Meadows performance.
Implications for the US Open Draw
Casper Ruud’s uncertain physical state casts a long shadow over his prospects for the upcoming US Open, which officially begins its main draw on August 30, 2026. A fully fit Ruud would be a dangerous float in the draw, given his pedigree as a former finalist and his ability to win tough matches.
But with his back issues visibly affecting his serve and groundstrokes, and his overall form struggling throughout 2026, he enters the tournament with little expectation. This situation could lead to a tough early-round exit, especially if he faces a high-caliber opponent or endures a lengthy match.
The medical team and his coaching staff will undoubtedly be monitoring his condition closely. They’ll weigh the risks of further injury against the potential reward of a deep run in the tournament. For any top athlete, knowing when to push and when to preserve their body is a critical calculation, much like other return from injury scenarios in elite sport.
His current world No. 20 ranking also means he won’t be among the top seeds, potentially exposing him to tougher matchups earlier than he might prefer. An early exit could further impact his ranking and confidence as the season progresses.
The Road Ahead: Recovery and Expectations
Looking beyond the immediate challenge of the US Open, Casper Ruud faces a critical period for his career. Addressing the root cause of his recurring back injury will be paramount if he hopes to return to his Grand Slam finalist form. Effective rehabilitation and a careful training regimen will be essential.
His ambitions of winning a major are well-documented, but current physical limitations pose a significant hurdle. While he’s been ranked as high as world No. 2, the current season has seen him struggle to regain that consistency and dominance.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he navigates this difficult period. Whether he can push through the pain at the US Open or prioritize full recovery for the remainder of the year remains to be seen. His performance in New York will undoubtedly set the tone for the rest of his 2026 campaign.