Clay-court specialist Casper Ruud came into this year’s French Open as one of the hot favourites, following a stellar clay-court swing on the ATP Tour.
The Norwegian, a two-time Roland Garros finalist, won the Madrid Open in April and performed well at other tournaments during the spring.
The world number eight had beaten Albert Ramos Viñolas 6-3 6-4 6-2 in his opening match in Paris.
Tennis fans reacted to this shock outcome – and they all appear to be in agreement about one element of his performance.
Tennis fans react as Casper Ruud is beaten at French Open 2025
On Wednesday, 26-year-old Ruud was comprehensively beaten by world number 41 Nuno Borges. Despite winning the opening set, Ruud faltered to lose 6-2 4-6 1-6 0-6.
Fans have been left puzzled as to why Ruud did not retire from the French Open match due to an apparent injury.
One fan said: “Casper Ruud literally throwing the match, just retire if you can’t play that was shameful.”
Another added: “What is Casper Ruud’s problem? Why won’t he retire the match?”
“Casper Ruud just completely collapsed. Like if you’re injured my guy just retire from the match,” another added.
However, one fan praised the Norwegian for persevering until the very end of the match.
The fan said: “Casper Ruud earned my respect today, clearly injured after the 1st set, but he played out the whole match out of respect for his opponent and the fans. Way to go Casper and hope it’s nothing serious.”
Jose Morgado, a journalist and tennis commentator, said Ruud was ‘clearly injured in the last two sets.’
Ruud won’t be a Roland Garros winner – and he realises a lot of that was down to a brutal injury.
Casper Ruud reveals knee pain after loss to Nuno Borges
Speaking after the loss, Ruud revealed he had been struggling with knee pain for the last couple of weeks.
Ruud said: “Hopefully nothing too serious, but for the last couple of weeks I’ve been struggling with knee pain. That’s why I pulled out from Geneva.”
He continued: “On practice is easier to avoid certain movements, certain shots. But when you play matches you can’t control the same way.”
“I don’t wanna take anything away from Nuno Borges. He played phenomenal. Really high level.”
Fans have loved the French Open so far – but they’ll have been mightily shocked to see Ruud go out so early, that’s for sure.