Full Breakdown
Casper Ruud Withdraws from 2026 US Open Singles Due to Back Injury
8/31/2026, 2:29:37 AM
Core Event
On August 30, 2026, Norwegian No. 1 player Casper Ruud announced that he was pulling out of the US Open singles draw because a back injury had not healed in time. The withdrawal was made public via an Instagram post and confirmed by tournament officials. Lucky-loser Arthur Gea of France was inserted into the main draw to face Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round.
Background & Context
Ruud was the 2022 US Open runner-up, losing to Carlos Alcaraz, and also reached the 2022 French Open final, where he was defeated by Rafael Nadal. Earlier in the 2026 season he reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, but exited in the first round at Wimbledon. The back problem first forced him to retire during the second set of his opening match at the Cincinnati Masters, a week before the US Open.
In addition to his singles campaign, Ruud competed in the newly revived mixed-doubles event with Russia’s Diana Shnaider. The pair won their opening match on August 25, 2026, before falling in the quarter-finals.
Data & Statistics
- World ranking: No. 20.
- Tournament seed: No. 19 (New York Post).
- Age: 27.
- 2026 season record: 25-16 win-loss.
- Mixed-doubles result: Reached quarter-finals, defeating Taylor Fritz/Jessica Pegula in the round of 16.
- Grand Slam finals: US Open 2022 (runner-up), French Open 2022 (runner-up).
Official Statements & Responses
Tournament officials confirmed the replacement of Ruud by Arthur Gea and updated the draw accordingly. No further medical details were released.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Seed vs. ranking: ESPN lists Ruud as world No. 20, while the New York Post describes him as the No. 19 seed. Both sources agree on his high ranking but differ on the exact seeding.
- Injury specifics: Sources note a “back injury” but provide no diagnosis, severity rating, or expected recovery timeline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Unfortunately, my back hasn’t healed as quickly as we had hoped,” — Casper Ruud
What’s Next
Arthur Gea will open his US Open campaign against Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Ruud has indicated he will focus on rehabilitation before returning to competition, with no specific timetable disclosed.
