US Open finalist Ruud to begin 2023 campaign in Auckland / Photo: ANGELA WEISS - AFP
-
Exhausted Wawrinka battles on in Melbourne farewell after five-set epic
-
'Too dangerous to go to hospital': a glimpse into Iran's protest crackdown
-
Bruised European allies wary after Trump's Greenland climbdown
-
Australia mourns in candlelight for Bondi Beach shooting victims
-
Austrian ex-agent goes on trial in Russia spying case
-
Japan suspends restart of world's biggest nuclear plant
-
Djokovic, Swiatek roll into Melbourne third round, Keys defence alive
-
New Zealand landslips kill at least two, others missing
-
Trump to showcase 'Board of Peace' at Davos after Greenland u-turn
-
Djokovic says heaving Australian Open crowds 'good problem'
-
Swiatek in cruise control to make Australian Open third round
-
Austrian ex-agent to go on trial in Russia spying case
-
Djokovic races on in Melbourne - with help from 'ally' fig tree
-
Bangladesh launches campaigns for first post-Hasina elections
-
Afghan resistance museum gets revamp under Taliban rule
-
Multiple people missing in New Zealand landslips
-
Sundance Film Festival hits Utah, one last time
-
Philippines convicts journalist on terror charge called 'absurd'
-
Anisimova grinds down Siniakova in 'crazy' Australian Open clash
-
Djokovic rolls into Melbourne third round, Keys defence alive
-
Vine, Narvaez take control after dominant Tour Down Under stage win
-
Chile police arrest suspect over deadly wildfires
-
Djokovic eases into Melbourne third round - with help from a tree
-
Keys draws on champion mindset to make Australian Open third round
-
Knicks halt losing streak with record 120-66 thrashing of Nets
-
Philippine President Marcos hit with impeachment complaint
-
Trump to unveil 'Board of Peace' at Davos after Greenland backtrack
-
Bitter-sweet as Pegula crushes doubles partner at Australian Open
-
Hong Kong starts security trial of Tiananmen vigil organisers
-
Keys into Melbourne third round with Sinner, Djokovic primed
-
Bangladesh launches campaigns for first post-Hasina polls
-
Stocks track Wall St rally as Trump cools tariff threats in Davos
-
South Korea's economy grew just 1% in 2025, lowest in five years
-
Snowboard champ Hirano suffers fractures ahead of Olympics
-
'They poisoned us': grappling with deadly impact of nuclear testing
-
Keys blows hot and cold before making Australian Open third round
-
Philippine journalist found guilty of terror financing
-
Greenlanders doubtful over Trump resolution
-
Real Madrid top football rich list as Liverpool surge
-
'One Battle After Another,' 'Sinners' tipped to top Oscar noms
-
Higher heating costs add to US affordability crunch
-
Eight stadiums to host 2027 Rugby World Cup matches in Australia
-
Plastics everywhere, and the myth that made it possible
-
Kingfisher Confirms Blind Copper-Gold Porphyry Discovery at Hank, HWY 37 Project, Golden Triangle, British Columbia
-
Formation Metals to Commence Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate Inclusive of Nearly 70,000 Metres of Drilling Following Completion of Ongoing Phase 1 Drill Program at the Advanced N2 Gold Project
-
Interim Venezuela leader to visit US
-
Australia holds day of mourning for Bondi Beach shooting victims
-
Australia day of mourning for victims of Bondi Beach shooting
-
Liverpool cruise as Bayern reach Champions League last 16
-
Fermin Lopez brace leads Barca to win at Slavia Prague
US Open finalist Ruud to begin 2023 campaign in Auckland
New world number two Casper Ruud announced Tuesday he will start his 2023 season at the Auckland Classic when the ATP Tour event returns in January after a three-year hiatus because of Covid.
The 23-year-old Norwegian rose to a career-high second in the world despite losing Sunday's US Open final to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz.
It was Ruud's second Grand Slam final defeat of 2022 after falling to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June.
Ruud, a winner at ATP tournaments in Gstaad, Geneva and Buenos Aires this year, will headline the Auckland men's tournament beginning January 9 as he warms up for the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open in Melbourne starting a week later.
"New Zealand is a very beautiful country. The conditions are very similar to Melbourne so it is a nice tournament to play," he said.
"I am a big fan of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings movies, I know the nature and scenery are incredible so it'll be nice to explore," he added.
Ruud went out in the round of 32 when the Auckland Classic was last played in 2020, but has since become the first Norwegian to break into the top 10 and would have become world number one had he beaten Alcaraz in Sunday's US Open final.
Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said it was a "coup" to sign up Ruud, who is "one of the most improved players on the circuit over the last 18 months".
American world number eight Coco Gauff last month announced she will feature in the women's Auckland Classic when the WTA Tour event begins on January 2.
K.Hill--AT