Casper Ruud nears ATP Tour return after training footage released

“I am very sorry to let you know that I will sadly miss the Dallas Open next week. Having played the final last year, I was of course so much looking forward to being back, especially also because I loved my time there last year with the incredible team that runs the event so well and organised,” said Ruud.

“However, with the birth of our daughter this past weekend, I will be spending an extra week at home here in Norway to enjoy this special time together. I am already looking forward to being back next year in Dallas, and wish everyone a great week next week with the tournament for this year’s edition.”

It had been unclear when and where we’d see Ruud return to action, but recent training footage suggests it won’t be long before he’s back on the ATP Tour…

Casper Ruud seen training with 18-year-old Oscar Lien

In a video posted by ‘akersposten‘, Ruud was seen training with his countryman, Oscar Lien.

The pair were training in an indoor facility, and Ruud was hitting several big forehands in a session that lasted two hours.

He certainly enjoyed himself training with a man nine years his junior.

“It’s been good training every time we go out here,” said Ruud (translated from Norwegian).

“He’s very good from the baseline, and he’s fast, he moves well.”

Lien, too, had a great time training with the former world number two.

“I just had a fun session where I trained with Casper Ruud for two hours,” he said.

“Now I’m going to play two tournaments in Turkey, where I’m chasing more ATP points to get higher in the rankings.”

Lien, 18, is currently ranked 1,752nd in the world, and most recently lost his opening match at an ITF event in Turkey.

Where will Casper Ruud play next?

Ruud, the Norwegian number one, is scheduled to play two tournaments before the ‘Sunshine Double’ events in the United States.

First, he will play the Delray Beach Open.

There, Ruud will compete as the number-two seed, looking to pick up a 13th ATP 250 title.

After Delray Beach, Ruud will head south to Acapulco for the Mexican Open.

The field will be tougher there, with the likes of Alexander Zverev and Lorenzo Musetti making the trip.

Only time will tell if Ruud will actually play those tournaments, or if he’ll choose to spend more time at home with his newborn.

The 2026 Delray Beach Open begins on Monday, February 16.