Casper Ruud's schedule in the days before Roland Garros differs from the last few years after he withdrew from the 2025 Geneva Open.
Ruud usually competes in Geneva the week before the French Open, and has an outstanding record. He won the 2021, 2022, and 2024 iterations of the tournament, defeating Tomas Machac in the final.
Some have questioned the Norwegian's decision to play in an event so close to the French Open, arguing that he should use the days before to rest and travel to Paris early to be properly prepared.
However, Ruud's record at Roland Garros makes it challenging to argue with his approach in previous years. He was the 2022 and 2023 runner-up at the season's second Grand Slam and seemed to use the Geneva Open as good preparation.
Despite that record, Ruud has elected to alter that approach this year. He will not return to defend his title and try to win a fourth crown in Switzerland after withdrawing from the tournament's entry list.
Ruud has not officially given a reason for his withdrawal. His last match was a 0-6, 1-6 demolition by Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinal of the Italian Open, a score that stunned tennis fans worldwide.
Although world No. 1 Sinner's high level is well-known, Ruud has been one of the best clay-court players in the world during the last few years, meaning the matchup looked competitive before both men took to the court.
Ruud must also have been feeling confident because he entered the match on a nine-match winning streak. The 26-year-old won his maiden Masters 1000 title at the Madrid Open two weeks ago, beating Jack Draper in the final.
Losing to Sinner might have been disheartening for Ruud, but he tried to find the humor in it. He raised his arms to the crowd after winning his sole game in the second set and was admiring of Sinner when he spoke to the press afterward.
Ruud may want to take some time to regroup after that thrashing. It could feel like a reality check for him after a hugely successful few weeks before being thrashed on Centre Court in Rome.
Ruud's withdrawal must make the Geneva Open tournament organizers even more relieved to have secured Novak Djokovic's involvement. The Serbian accepted a wild card into the ATP 250 tournament.
Djokovic also did this last year, losing to Tomas Machac in the semifinal. The 24-time Grand Slam champion wants to get match practice before Roland Garros after failing to register a victory in Monte-Carlo or Madrid.
The Geneva Open will also be Djokovic's first tournament appearance since splitting from Andy Murray. After six months together, the former on-court rivals decided to separate, but it seemed amicable.
If recent reports are accurate, Djokovic will work with Serbian Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki for at least the short term. The pair have been friends for many years, dating back to Troicki's career on the ATP Tour, and his appointment seems sensible.
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