Casper Ruud exclusive: World No. 3 to take break after Australian Open - 'Not healthy for the body at all'
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Updated 03/01/2023 at 09:58 GMT
Casper Ruud says he will take around a month's break from competitive tennis after the Australian Open, as he criticised the length of the calendar. Speaking to Eurosport, Ruud revealed that he hopes his plan will mean he is fresher for the ensuing 'Sunshine Swing' and beyond, with February effectively his pre-season. Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+ and eurosport.com.
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Casper Ruud says he will take around a month's break from tournaments after the Australian Open, as he criticised the length of the tennis calendar.
Ruud, who has been in action at the United Cup for Norway this week, goes into the Australian Open with high hopes of winning his first Grand Slam, having got to the final of two of his past three majors - at Roland Garros and the US Open.
That formed part of a fine 2022 season in which he evidenced his credentials as one of the best players in the sport.
But there is a downside to his form and consistency in the shape of burnout concerns, with the Norwegian having played 75 and 76 matches in the past two seasons respectively.
And Ruud, who last month embarked on a long exhibition tour of South America with Rafael Nadal, seems fully aware that cannot continue.
"A normal calendar year in tennis, if you play a tournament every month, then the season lasts for 10 and a half months," Ruud told Eurosport.
"It's not really healthy for the body at all.
"There are no major tournaments in February, and I will therefore use the time to train my physique and actually use that month as a kind of 'pre-season', which I would normally have in December.
"A lot happened in December, including the trip to South America with Nadal. I have tried to keep it going, and I thought that the Australian Open 2023 will be the last tournament before I take a small tournament break.
"When I make the change I'm making now, the season will be shortened to eight and a half months. That's long enough too.
"It will be exciting to see if it goes well, but it is at least worth a try. When Indian Wells starts at the beginning of March, I am ready for a new year with many hectic months and tournaments in a row.
"It will be good to be able to break up the year a bit like that. I hope it's a good recipe."
In an earlier discussion with Eurosport, Ruud said that he would also look to play fewer ATP 250 tournaments.
"I have managed to prove that I can perform well at the highest level and that I will give even greater focus to the biggest tournaments," the Norwegian said.
That said, Ruud will feature in the ATP 250 ASB Classic in Auckland between January 9-15 - his final event before heading to Melbourne for the first major of the year.
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