Ruud, the tracks and the bad example of our sport

All tournaments on the professional tennis circuit, and to a greater extent the Grand Slams, have courts of very different rank.

The most modest, with small stands for the spectator, host the matches of the lowest ranked players in both draws.

The large stadiums, on the other hand, have their own personality, worldwide recognition and the prestige of having hosted all the finals of our sport.

The Arthur Ashe, the largest in the world, is one of the most recognized on the

along with the Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros, the Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open and La Central at Wimbledon.

It is not necessary to explain what these are, and those that follow them in capacity, those that are reserved for the best players of the moment, those who occupy the first places in the world ranking or for tennis players, as has happened this year, such as Serena Williams who logically has played all his matches on the main court due to his announced retirement and, of course, as a well-deserved tribute to his great career.

In the same way, it would be unthinkable that Roger Federer, to give an example that will be given when he returns to the courts, was relegated to play on less important courts due to the fact that he has lost his position in the classification.

That is why I was surprised a few days ago when after the training of the player I collaborate with, Felix Auger-Aliassime, with Casper Ruud, the father of the latter commented bitterly to me how his son, being the fifth seed and one of the contenders for the world throne next Monday saw themselves displaced to play their match on court 12, the fifth in entity at Corona Park.

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I think, without a doubt, that it is a lack of consideration for the merits acquired by this great Norwegian player on the courts in recent years.

Obviously, I understand that those responsible for the tournament have to be somewhat solicitous with the players who raise the most expectations and who attract the attention of the fans, but I don't know if to the unethical point of sending the fifth seed to such insignificant courts and that he has to see how his place is replaced by players who create admiration not only for his game, but above all for his continuous rudeness and unorthodox behavior.

Casper Ruud is, without a doubt, one of the players with the most exemplary behavior on the professional circuit.

I've never seen his opponents snub or his own team frown.

His progressive and solid evolution has led him to be the great tennis player he is today: a very complete athlete, without weak points, owner of one of the best forehands on the circuit and with the ability to execute points of great brilliance.

His seriousness during the games also guarantees that he will never lower his arms or disappoint the public.

And he is also, in case the leaders of the US Open have forgotten, the current finalist at Roland Garros.

The fact that in a tennis match the strokes executed by the players, their movements on the court or the strategies chosen to win points do not prevail, I think that speaks badly about the leaders of our sport.

That the admirable characteristics that a player like Casper brings together are not enough to attract the attention of the fan shows that he has become a simple spectator who has lost interest in the essence of the game in favor of the most accessory or flashy.

Probably, one more reflection of the society in which we live, where on too many occasions we give more value to what has less.

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