Norway’s Casper Ruud believes the trend of players deciding to take a medical timeout before their opponent serves is something that the sport needs to look into.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist was leading Holger Rune by a set and a break in their semi-final clash at the Italian Open on Saturday. Rune then took a medical timeout for treatment on his shoulder before breaking back in the next game. The Dane then went on to win the match 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Whilst the break in play disrupted Ruud’s momentum on the court, he refused to debate if his opponent’s use of a medical timeout was tactical or not. Speaking to reporters during his press conference, the world No.4 pointed out that no rules were broken.
“I would like to think not, but I don’t know,” Ruud replied when asked if Rune’s timeout had been tactical.
“It would only be guessing. But I think if you have pain, you have the right to take the physio,” he added.
However, the 24-year-old does believe that the governing bodies of tennis should look into potentially adjusting their rulebook. It is not the first time an incident like that has happened at the Italian Open this year. During Novak Djokovic’s fiery clash with Cameron Norrie, the Brit took a medical time-out just before the Serbian was about to serve for the match.
“The rule should maybe be discussed a bit I think because there are many cases where someone takes a medical timeout and it’s before the opponent’s serve, which I know a lot of people kind of dislike a little bit because it can interrupt your rhythm and you have to wait when you’re about to serve,” said Ruud.
“I don’t know if that’s something that might change in the future.”
Rune also agrees that there are certain moments of a match when a player should not take a medical timeout but denies that the one used by him in Rome was tactical. Saying his decision to do so was prompted by some pain he was feeling in his shoulder region.
“I take a medical timeout when I have a problem and when I feel pain. I want to get the treatment, that’s it,” he stated.
“I know there’s certainly moments in matches where you probably shouldn’t take a medical timeout, where I don’t take a medical timeout. I take it when it’s in the beginning of the set or somewhere. Mostly when I have a problem.”
Despite the loss, Ruud heads into the upcoming French Open with a much-needed confidence boost after what has been a roller-coaster 2023 season so far. Rome is only the second tournament this season where he has won back-to-back matches after Estoril. As a result of his run to the final of Roland Garros 12 months ago, he will be defending 1200 ranking points.
Meanwhile, Rune will take on Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Italian Open on Sunday. He is the youngest player to reach the final since Rafael Nadal in 2006.
