Dominic Thiem and Casper Ruud withdraw from Abu Dhabi Exhibition

December 15, 2021

ATP Tennis Players, Dominic Thiem, Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments

Dominic Thiem and Casper Ruud withdraw from Abu Dhabi Exhibition

Both Dominic Thiem and Casper Ruud have withdrawn from the upcoming Abu Dhabi Exhibition, with Thiem revealing he is “not yet ready to compete at the highest level.”

Thiem and Ruud have joined 19-year-old US Open champion Emma Raducanu in pulling out of the off-season event. British sensation Raducanu contracted Covid-19 earlier this week and was forced to miss the event.

2020 US Open winner Thiem was scheduled to play Andy Murray in the opening round and would have faced 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal should he have beat Murray.

Whilst Ruud was set to play Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who is also returning from injury after missing the Davis Cup.

Former World number three Thiem had been hoping to make a return to action after a wrist injury ruled him out for the latter half of the season.

Thiem announced his withdrawal through a Twitter post, saying “I was looking forward to making my return to competition at Abu Dhabi but I feel that I am not yet ready to compete at the highest level.

“It’s disappointing to not take part this year but I need to continue my preparation for the upcoming season.”

World number eight Casper Ruud has also pulled out due to injury but the extent of his injury remains unclear, as does his participation at the upcoming ATP Cup and Australian Open.

Taylor Fritz and Dan Evans will replace Thiem and Ruud, whilst World number ten Ons Jabeur will make her return from injury when she replaces starlet Raducanu.