Casper Ruud gives injury update after suffering shock defeat to Nuno Borges at the French Open

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Casper Ruud was looking to secure another impressive victory at the French Open.

The Norwegian star has enjoyed real success at Roland Garros over the years and began his 2025 campaign with a convincing win.

Taking on Spain’s Albert Ramos Vinolas in his opening match, Ruud won 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to book his place in the second round.

Carrying on in the same vein of form, Ruud won the first set of his second-round match against Nuno Borges 6-2.

It looked as if the former two-time finalist would ease into the third round, but as injuries began to trouble him, the Portuguese ATP star took control.

Winning in four sets, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0, Borges produced one of the shocks of the tournament, knocking out the Madrid Open champion.

Speaking after the match, Ruud gave fans an injury update, revealing the issue he’s been struggling with for the entire clay season.

Casper Ruud says he’s been struggling with knee pain for the ‘entire clay season’

After falling to his earliest defeat in Paris since 2018, Ruud shared some insight into the injuries he’s been dealing with recently.

“For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been struggling with knee pain. That’s why I pulled out of Geneva,” he said.

“In practice, it’s easier to avoid certain movements, certain shots. But when you play matches, you can’t control it the same way.

“I had a scan in Madrid. This problem has been with me during the entire clay season. The scan didn’t show any damage, just liquid.

“I decided to push through it, with inflammatory pills, etc, but it was not enough.”

Ruud then explained why he chose not to retire from the match, despite struggling in the third and fourth sets.

“One of the shots that hurts the most is the backhand open stance, as it’s the left knee. It’s the worst shot for me. I’ve been avoiding it in practice, but in a match, in a Slam, you go for everything,” he said.

“I still played good tennis in the first two sets. It’s a Slam, I didn’t want to retire. I tried my best to continue”.

The 26-year-old then revealed what he plans to do to recover from the injury.

“I will let it heal and rest for a longer time,” said Ruud.

Ruud was also keen not to take the shine away from Borges, who secured the first top-ten win of his career against the Norwegian.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Nuno Borges. He played phenomenally. Really high level,” he said.

Borges will return to take on Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the French Open on Friday, May 30.

Casper Ruud’s French Open streak ends with shock second-round defeat

Few players had performed better at Roland Garros over the past three years than Ruud, who reached the last four in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

• 2022 French Open – Casper Ruud lost in F to Rafael Nadal
• 2023 French Open – Casper Ruud lost in F to Novak Djokovic
• 2024 French Open – Casper Ruud lost in SF to Alexander Zverev

Unfortunately for the world number eight, his streak of semi-final appearances is now over, as he suffers another early Grand Slam exit.

Ruud has now lost in the second round of both Grand Slam tournaments this year, having fallen at the same stage to Jakub Mensik in Melbourne.

Looking further back, his Grand Slam record since reaching back-to-back finals at the French Open in 2022 and 2023 leaves a lot to be desired.

Ruud has passed the fourth round in just one of his previous eight Grand Slam events, a disappointing record for someone of his calibre.

Following his latest Major defeat, Ruud will fall out of the world’s top ten once more after the French Open and will be ranked 13th at best.

He’s currently scheduled to return to action on the grass in Mallorca for the ATP 250 event, which begins on June 23.

Only time will tell if Ruud will be fit to play in Spain, or if he instead chooses to rest up ahead of Wimbledon.