Casper Ruud really had to push himself in his first match at this year’s Miami Open. And let me tell you, he was anything but happy about the setup there.
He squared off against Luca Van Assche, a young talent from France. The match was a rollercoaster, lasting just over two hours and stretching across three sets. Ruud clinched the first set, but then, oh boy, the tables turned. Van Assche broke him twice in the second set, cranking up the pressure.
But Ruud? He bounced back. The third set was a breeze for him, not giving up a single break point. Recently, he made his way back into the Top 10, so expectations were high. And there he was, on Court 1, calling out the organizers for dropping the ball on basic services.
He had a bit of a chat with the chair umpire, expressing his disappointment. No cold water, no towels, and just a plastic chair for changing? Ruud was not having it. He pointed out the lack of seating for gear changes too.
Then came the zinger: “There’s been no towels, no cold water, and just a plastic chair to change. This is a joke. And you know why it is, because the tournament is too cheap to put up something good for the players. The players come here every year to play, to put on a show in front of tens of thousands of people and then they treat us like this.”
Ruud wasn’t pointing fingers at the umpire, though. He knows the issue runs deeper. For a prestigious tournament, he argued, the basics should be a given. He urged the official to escalate the issue.
“Go to trailer for five minutes in a room with nothing and just a plastic chair to change. Maybe they can put some towels, maybe some cold water for the players’ comfort. And it’s not your fault. I’m just saying how bad it is.”
“No, I know you didn’t know but I’m telling you now. And you have to take it on today to whoever is charge, Andrea, Massimo, whoever. Because every time the players complain, nothing happens.”
So, there you have it. Ruud’s opening match was more than just tennis; it was a statement. A call for change, for the betterment of the players’ experience. Will the organizers listen? Time will tell.
Takeaways
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‣ Casper Ruud expressed dissatisfaction with the Miami Open’s lack of basic amenities, criticizing the tournament for not providing cold water, towels, and adequate seating for players to change gear.
‣ Despite the challenges, Ruud managed to win his opening match against Luca Van Assche in three sets, showcasing his resilience and skill on the court.
‣ Ruud’s comments highlight a broader issue of player welfare at tennis tournaments, urging organizers to improve conditions and listen to player feedback.