Casper Ruud has been a consistent presence in Team Europe’s Laver Cup lineup, and to his credit, he has performed well despite competing outside his comfort zone. Out of the four singles matches he has played at the event, he has won three, all against American opponents. His only defeat came in the 2024 edition when he lost to Francisco Cerúndolo.
With Team Europe’s dominance at the Laver Cup fading in recent years, Ruud’s experience makes him one of the players his team will rely on. However, it remains uncertain how much he can contribute this time given his poor form, lack of confidence, and lingering fitness concerns.
Ruud’s level has dipped sharply since the injury he sustained at the French Open, which forced him to skip several tournaments in the weeks that followed. Even after returning, his performances have lacked conviction. He has dropped five of his last nine matches, including disappointing losses to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo on clay and Raphael Collignon at the US Open.
American players have consistently had a strong presence in Team World’s Laver Cup lineup. However, Reilly Opelka, despite being one of the most dangerous Americans on indoor hard courts, has not been able to appear regularly because of recurring fitness issues and surgery that have restricted his playing activity in recent times.
Opelka’s only previous Laver Cup appearance came in 2021, when he played just one singles match and lost in straight sets to Casper Ruud. His campaign went from bad to worse as he also lost his doubles outing, with Team World suffering a humiliating 1-14 defeat in Boston.
Opelka’s fitness has not improved significantly this year, which has resulted in fluctuating performances and inconsistent results. The positive, however, is that he has shown a knack for raising his level against big names. If he can replicate that, he could deliver some crucial points for Team World. In 2025 alone, he has faced top-20 opponents nine times and scored four impressive wins, including victories over Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, and Alex de Minaur.
Head-to-Head: Casper Ruud leads 4-1 (1-0 on indoor hard courts). Ruud’s world-class returning has consistently neutralized Opelka’s elite serve, giving him a 4-1 advantage in their rivalry. However, despite holding that psychological edge, Ruud’s current struggles with form and confidence, combined with Opelka’s 2025 record of upsetting top players, suggest this matchup is far more balanced than the head-to-head implies. Opelka’s chances could rise above 50 percent if the conditions play fast in his favor.