Casper Ruud withdraws from US Open 2026 with back injury
Casper Ruud has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open because of a back injury, tournament officials and ESPN confirmed on Sunday. The 2022 runner-up and World No. 20 pulls out at the last minute after struggling through Cincinnati and mixed doubles in New York. Lucky loser Arthur Gea replaces him and faces Juan Manuel Cerundolo in round one.
The Norwegian's exit is the latest high-profile withdrawal from this year's final Grand Slam, following Jannik Sinner's knee injury. For more breaking sports headlines, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Key Takeaways
- Casper Ruud withdrew from the 2026 US Open on Sunday due to a back injury.
- He retired mid-match at the Cincinnati Open and looked limited in mixed doubles practice in Flushing Meadows.
- Arthur Gea enters the main draw as a lucky loser and plays Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round.
- Ruud, 27, is ranked World No. 20 after a difficult US hard-court swing.
- His absence further thins a men's field already missing Sinner, Jack Draper, and Joao Fonseca.
Why did Casper Ruud withdraw from the US Open?
Ruud pulled out because of a back problem that had already forced him to stop during his opening match at the Cincinnati Open. According to ESPN, he retired while trailing Christopher O'Connell 7-5, 1-2 in Cincinnati.
Despite signing up for both singles and mixed doubles, Ruud was seen in videos struggling to serve during practice at Flushing Meadows. He and Diana Shnaider won their mixed doubles opener but lost in the next round, and tournament organizers confirmed his singles withdrawal on Sunday.
How has Ruud's back injury affected his recent form?
The injury capped a rough stretch for the former French Open and US Open finalist. Ruud fell in the first round at Wimbledon to Hubert Hurkacz, then exited the National Bank Open in the second round against Joao Fonseca.
His Cincinnati retirement made serious doubts about his US Open participation unavoidable. At 27, Ruud will now turn to recovery with several important events still left on the ATP calendar before the season ends.
Who replaces Casper Ruud in the US Open draw?
Arthur Gea takes Ruud's spot after losing in the final round of qualifying. The lucky loser draws Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round of the main draw.
Gea's entry is standard US Open procedure when a seeded or direct entrant withdraws before play begins. Ruud had been among the higher-ranked men to exit, but his withdrawal was widely expected given his visible fitness issues in New York.
What does Ruud's withdrawal mean for the men's draw?
Ruud's 2022 run to the final — where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz — remains the high point of his US Open record. That year he also reached the French Open final, falling to Rafael Nadal in his first bid to become the first Norwegian man to win a Grand Slam singles title.
His absence joins a growing list of top withdrawals. Sinner is out with a right knee injury, Draper with an arm issue, and Fonseca with an abdominal problem. The main draw began August 30, and Ruud's exit leaves the field without another established contender on the eve of the tournament.