August 31st
2023
on
05:51

Ruud frustrated in heated refereeing discussion: – What happened?

This year’s US Open ended in failure for Casper Ruud, who lost in a five-set thriller to China’s Zhizhen Zhang (world number 67) in the second round on Thursday night in Norway.

The match was won by China with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 0-6, 6-2.

During the match, there were frustrated Norwegian players on the pitch. After winning the fourth set 6-0 and really finding her groove, Zhang left the court to get changed.

Just over seven minutes after the final exchange of balls in the fourth set, Zhang returned and it took just one more minute before Ruud served to start the fifth set.

There, Zhang immediately made a break, and after that Ruud approached the referee. There, the TV broadcast caught the Norwegian saying:

– If more than three minutes pass, the clock starts ticking. Every 30 seconds you’re not ready, I get a point. Isn’t that how it works or am I completely wrong?

– This is the second time and I’m pretty sure it was more than three minutes. Then I have to wait, because he is in control of everything. Apparently he could return as late as he pleased, as there was no warning here. What is going on?

There was a pipe concert in the stands, but Ruud continued:

– So why don’t you do something? You certainly follow the rules at certain moments, and at other times you just don’t care, he says.

At the post-match press conference, Zhang explained that he had to change “all” of his clothes.

– T-shirts, socks, everything, he said.

Ruud himself was asked what he discussed with the judge.

– Sometimes it’s a bit difficult to follow the rules. There are major changes in the toilet/dress changing rules after 2021, he said.

Then the ATP tour introduced that you only have toilet breaks during games and play will continue if players don’t return in time.

In the Grand Slam tournaments, of which the US Open is a part, the ITF (International Tennis Federation) is responsible for the rules. There are slightly different rules for men, as matches are best played in five sets. There, two toilet breaks are allowed, the second only after the third set. There will also be a point penalty if the player is not ready on time. In total, the player is given five minutes from the moment he reaches the toilet. At the same time, the rules state that clothing such as T-shirts, socks and shoes should change in the field.

– I got into a rhythm, I won the fourth set 6-0 and I wanted to keep it going. I have to wait six or seven minutes, because it takes a long time to get into the room, then five minutes in the room, then he has to come back on the pitch. Just six or seven minutes I walk around and do nothing. I might lose my flow there and it’s frustrating, he says.

A disappointed Ruud has now dropped to at least ninth in the world rankings. Last year he made it to the final of the US Open.

You can watch everything from the US Open on Discovery+.