NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Former finalist Casper Ruud pulled out of the U.S. Open men's singles tournament with a persistent back injury, the Norwegian said shortly after the tournament got underway on Sunday.
Ruud, runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 final, will be replaced in the draw by lucky loser Arthur Gea who takes on Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the opening round.
The 27-year-old Ruud had retired during the second set of his Cincinnati Open meeting with Christopher O'Connell earlier this month and said he had not recovered in time.
"Unfortunately, my back hasn't healed as quickly as we had hoped," Ruud said on Instagram.
"We've been optimistic that I would recover in time, but my team and I have decided that we need to think long term and give my body the time it needs. I'm very sad to announce that I have to withdraw from this year's U.S. Open singles event.
"It's never easy to miss a Grand Slam, but I know this is the right decision. I'll take the time I need to recover properly and come back stronger."
Ruud competed in the revamped mixed doubles tournament last week partnering Diana Shnaider and the pair were beaten in the quarter-finals by Andrey Rublev and Mirra Andreeva.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in New YorkEditing by Toby Davis)
