Star Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud has said that with players having to turn up for tournaments almost every week, season-ending injuries towards the latter part of the year are expected, after Holger
Rune suffered one earlier this week, which brought an end to his season.
Rune began the Stockholm Open well, reaching the semifinals with victories over players including Marton Fucsovics and Tomas Martin
Etcheverry. However, his campaign came to an abrupt halt on Saturday, October 18, when he was forced to withdraw from his semifinal clash against Ugo Humbert because of a season-ending left leg injury.Reports confirm Rune has suffered a torn Achilles tendon. On the same day, Ruud progressed to the Stockholm Open final after beating Denis Shapovalov in the semifinal.
“It is very demanding when you go directly from tournament to tournament. Holger was in Shanghai last week and when something is so demanding, something like this can unfortunately happen,” Ruud said while speaking at the post-match press conference.
“We are all in some kind of risk zone when we step onto the pitch, but whether his injury has a direct connection to the tough schedule, I am not sure. In a way, all injuries are probably because of the tough schedule,” Ruud added.
“It is tough of course and we are really pushing our own limits at the moment. Holger was one of those who could still make it to the season finale, so his limit was definitely pushed too and it is just really unfortunate that it ended this way for him,” Ruud said.
Notably, world No. 9 Jack Draper recently requested the ATP Tour to reassess its packed calendar, saying that players require a more manageable schedule to ensure long and healthy careers, after Rune’s serious injury.
Multiple top players, including Draper, have withdrawn from tournaments or ended their seasons early, putting the 11-month men’s and women’s tennis circuits under intense scrutiny.
