Former finalist Casper Ruud pulls out of US Open with back injury

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ruud-casper/zN9UpRqp/"]Ruud[/a], ‌runner-up to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alcaraz-garfia-carlos/UkhgIFEq/"]Carlos Alcaraz[/a] in the ‌2022 final, will be replaced in the ‌draw by lucky loser [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gea-arthur/M5Nr6FTR/"]Arthur Gea[/a], who takes on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cerundolo-juan-manuel/A93TM7BR/"]Juan Manuel Cerundolo[/a] in ‌the opening round.[/p][p]The 27-year-old Ruud had ⁠retired during ‌the second set of his Cincinnati Open ​meeting with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/o-connell-christopher/SptFeDiE/"]Christopher O'Connell[/a] earlier this month and said he had ​not recovered in time.[/p][p][b]"Unfortunately, my back hasn't healed as quickly as we had ⁠hoped,"[/b] Ruud ​said on Instagram.[/p][embed guid="dc5aa669-54cc-4ea3-91e5-49e7facb77ef" url="https://x.com/usopen/status/2094088942228234246" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"We've been optimistic that I would recover in time, but my team and I have decided that we ‌need to think long term and give my body the time it needs. I'm very sad to announce that I have to withdraw from this year's US Open singles event.[/b][/p][p][b]"It's never easy to miss a Grand Slam, but I know this is the ‌right decision. I'll take the time ​I need to recover properly and ‌come back stronger."[/b][/p][p]Ruud competed in the revamped mixed doubles tournament last week, partnering [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/shnaider-diana/028BdVOj/"]Diana Shnaider[/a] and the pair were beaten in the quarter-finals by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rublev-andrey/AeAn4gP0/"]⁠Andrey Rublev[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/andreeva-mirra/lI6fOOat/"]⁠Mirra Andreeva[/a].[/p][infobox id="3dc51b3a-107f-482b-9173-a97d347ef1b3" /]