Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud, world number 7, has announced that he will skip the grass-court tournaments before Wimbledon. "With all due respect to Stuttgart and 's-Hertogenbosch, but I will not follow these tournaments closely. I will maybe watch Queen's and Halle. I will also try to watch the other weeks on grass, since I will be playing on grass. I will not play the tournaments before Wimbledon, but I will play at Wimbledon. It is an interesting surface, I joked about it a little bit, but I think it is really interesting to play on grass, and it is a challenge. I think it is beneficial for my game," Ruud said at a press conference. The decision to skip the grass-court preparation events is somewhat surprising, as Ruud traditionally uses this time to prepare for the unique challenges of playing on grass. In recent years he has competed in events such as the ATP 250 on grass in Stuttgart and the ATP 500 in 's-Hertogenbosch, using them as valuable preparations before the start of Wimbledon. However, Ruud appears to have opted for a different approach this year.
By avoiding the extra tournaments, he is likely hoping to better manage his physical and mental energy levels ahead of the prestigious Grand Slam event. The grass-court season is relatively short, with just a few weeks separating the French Open and Wimbledon, so the Norwegian may feel that extra matches could be more detrimental than beneficial at this stage of the season. Ruud's best result at Wimbledon is reaching the second round, which he has achieved in 2022 and 2023. Despite his relative lack of success on the surface compared to other Grand Slams, the 25-year-old appears determined to break through at the All England Club this year. "Traga is an interesting surface. I joked about it a bit, but I think it's really interesting to play on," Ruud said. "Grass is a challenge, and I think it's good for my game." The decision to skip the pre-Wimbledon grass events could be seen as a calculated risk by Ruud and his team. On the one hand, it deprives him of valuable match practice on the surface. But on the other hand, it could allow him to arrive at Wimbledon fresher and more focused on the task at hand.
It’s a bold move, especially for a player who has historically struggled to find his footing on grass. Ruud is hoping his unconventional preparation will pay off and allow him to make a deeper run at Wimbledon this year. One potential downside to skipping the lead-up events is that Ruud may not have the opportunity to fine-tune his grass-court game before the Grand Slam. The transition from clay to grass can be particularly tricky, and many players rely on these tune-up tournaments to make the necessary adjustments to their tactics and techniques. However, Ruud seems confident that he can make those adjustments during his on-site training and practice sessions at Wimbledon. He has shown a willingness to experiment and try new things in the past, so it’s possible that he has identified a different training approach that he believes will serve him better on the grass courts of the All England Club.
Ultimately, Ruud’s decision to skip the pre-Wimbledon grass-court events will be judged by his results at the tournament itself. If he can make a deep run or even challenge for the title, it will be seen as a shrewd and well-executed plan. But if he struggles to find his footing and exits quickly, it could raise questions about the wisdom of his unconventional preparation. One potential silver lining for Ruud is that by skipping the extra tournaments, he may be able to better manage his physical and mental fatigue. The grass-court season can be particularly grueling, with the rapid transition from clay and the unique demands of the surface taking a toll on players’ bodies and minds. By conserving his energy, Ruud may be better equipped to withstand the rigors of a Grand Slam event. Additionally, Ruud’s decision to skip the pre-Wimbledon events could be seen as a sign of his growing confidence and maturity as a player. Rather than feeling the need to play as many games as possible, he trusts his own instincts and the advice of his team to chart the best course of action for his preparation.
It’s a bold and potentially risky move, but one that could pay off if Ruud can pull off a successful Wimbledon run. The tennis world will be watching closely to see how the Norwegian’s unconventional approach plays out during the grass-court season. Ultimately, Ruud’s decision to skip the grass-court events leading up to Wimbledon is a calculated gamble. He’s forgoing the opportunity to practice matches in an attempt to arrive at the Grand Slam feeling fresh and focused. It’s a strategy that could backfire if he struggles to find his groove on grass, but it could also pay off if he’s able to make a deep run at Wimbledon. Only time will tell if Ruud’s unconventional preparation proves to be the right decision. But for now, the tennis world is intrigued to see how the Norwegian’s bold move plays out on the hallowed grass courts of the All England Club.
