Roland-Garros 2025: "Forcing participants to compete despite injury accusations... Unveiling Casper Ruud's retaliatory performance against ATP"

Roland-Garros: Casper Ruud Discusses Injury and Obligations of Top ATP Players

Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud addressed his left knee injury during a press conference at the French Open on Wednesday. Ruud was ousted in the second round by Portuguese Nuno Borges, despite the injury that has been bothering him for nearly two weeks. The pain first surfaced at the Monte-Carlo Masters in early April.

Ruud, currently ranked eighth in the world, explained that his decision to attend the Paris Grand Slam, despite the injury, was due to respect for the tournament's significance, as a double finalist in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, he mentioned the obligations imposed by the ATP regulations, as mandatory events can result in significant losses in terms of financial gain, ranking, and opportunities if not attended.

"The ranking is a concern. There's a feeling of obligation due to the ATP rules. On mandatory events, there's a lot to lose if you don't come," Ruud said.

The ATP Tour calculates rankings based on 19 tournaments plus the year-end Masters (ATP Finals) for concerned players: the four Grand Slams, eight of the nine Masters 1000 (all except Monte-Carlo), and the seven best tournaments for the individual player among all other types. Absence from any of these events results in zero points, causing a loss in ranking.

Moreover, top 30 players are contractually obligated to participate in all Masters 1000 and ATP Finals if qualified. Failing to do so could lead to financial penalties, with a 25% reduction in annual bonuses for each missed Masters 1000 or ATP Finals, according to ATP Regulation 2025 (page 14). However, these sanctions do not apply to Grand Slams, as a source within the ATP clarified.

Romain Rosenberg, executive director of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), explained that players are expected to be present at mandatory events, even in case of injury, to have their cases confirmed.

The topic of obligations and financial pressures has been a growing concern within the ATP Tour. Missing mandatory tournaments can lead to a triple penalty: loss of points, forfeiture of tournament prize money, and a reduction in the year-end bonus in Masters 1000. In some cases, players have opted to face financial penalties instead of attending obligatory tournaments while injured.

The significant number of mandatory tournaments has been criticized for forcing players to neglect their health and personal lives. Iga Swiatek, a WTA player, addressed this issue last summer, stating that the excessive number of tournaments has led to an unhealthy pace, contributing to an escalating number of injuries among players. The debate is ongoing as players seek more flexibility to prioritize their well-being and career sustainability.

With Ruud uncertain about a recovery in time for the grass season starting in June, he should have ample time to recuperate before the next obligatory ATP tournament, Wimbledon, starting on June 30.

[1]: The ATP Tour calculates rankings based on 19 tournaments plus the year-end Masters (ATP Finals).[2]: Players can risk penalties for not attending mandatory events.[3]: Missing mandatory events can result in a reduction of the year-end bonus.[4]: Absence from a mandatory event leads to loss of points, prize money, and potential financial penalties.

Casper Ruud, in light of his current injury, acknowledged the sports-betting implications of top ATP players, as he highlighted the un penalty for not attending mandatory events due to the ATP rules.
Unaware of his recovery timeline for the grass season, Ruud may have to prioritize his well-being over un sports-betting obligations, potentially risking loss of points, forfeiture of prize money, and potential financial penalties for missed mandatory ATP tournaments.

Roland-Garros 2025: "Forcing participants to compete despite injury accusations... Unveiling Casper Ruud's retaliatory performance against ATP"