Casper Ruud slams ‘joke’ Miami Open for being ‘too cheap’
Casper Ruud has progressed to the third round of the Miami Open, but the former finalist was not completely satisfied after criticising the tournaments facilities.
Ruud beat French teenager Luca van Assche, 7-6(5) 1-6 6-1, with the Norwegian expressing his frustration to the chair umpire during one of the change of ends.
Casper on the march ????️@CasperRuud98 will face Davidovich Fokina in the third round in Miami after coming through against Van Assche 7-6(5) 1-6 6-1! @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/9FngDMlt2p
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 23, 2024
“There’s been no towels, no cold water, and just a plastic chair to change. This is a joke,” explained Ruud. “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.
“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.”
Ruud then requested that the umpire report his concerns to ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and managing director Massimo Calvelli.
“No, I know you didn’t know but I’m telling you now,” Ruud continued. “And you have to take it on today to whoever is charge, Andrea, Massimo, whoever. Because every time the players complain, nothing happens.”
Casper Ruud has had enough. https://t.co/JZXN1YK5Ie
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) March 24, 2024
Despite his annoyance, Ruud managed to regain composure for the deciding set and will play Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round later today.
Inside the baseline…
As much as it is tricky to comment on this issue without being behind the scenes at the Miami Open, Casper Ruud is not normally someone who likes to complain. This would suggest that there may be something to the Norwegian’s frustrations, and it would be interesting to see if Ruud or anyone else continues the pressure on the tournament to make changes.
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