WELLINGTON, Sept 13, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - 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.