Casper Ruud withdraws from 2026 US Open due to back injury: when the serve becomes the breaking point

Casper Ruud officially withdrew from the 2026 US Open on August 25, 2026 due to a back injury. The Norwegian, a 2026 runner-up at Flushing Meadows and currently ranked No. 20, had already retired from Cincinnati Open with the same issue. Practice footage showed him struggling with his serve, and he had also entered mixed doubles before making the final decision. His withdrawal opened a main-draw spot for lucky loser Arthur Gea, who faces Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round. Ruud's absence reshapes only a small part of the draw, but it highlights his physical fragility and the risk of a ranking slide. The decision is medically justified and compliant with ATP rules. Ruud's return timeline remains unclear; if he skips the Asian swing and early 2026 events, the injury may be more serious than public reports suggest.