"Casper Ruud should just play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz to win" - Fans react as Norwegian crashes out to Jordan Thompson in Japan Open 1R

Casper Ruud crashing out of the Japan Open in the opening round to Jordan Thompson has sparked discussion among tennis fans. Many were disappointed with the Norwegian's performance, with one of them joking about how he should play doubles while some opining that the result was a cause of his tiring stint at the 2024 Laver Cup.

Ruud, seeded third, faced Jordan Thompson in the first round of the ATP 500 event in Tokyo. This was a few months after the Aussie beat him in the final of the Los Cabos Open.

Thompson replicated his heroics from Mexico, as he beat the Norwegian 7-6(5), 6-1.

Fans discussed Casper Ruud's defeat, with one saying that the Norwegian should play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz to win matches, alluding to their Laver Cup triumph against Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton.

"Maybe he should just play doubles with Alcaraz in order to win a match," the fan joked.

Another fan joked how only the young guys Flavio Cobolli and Ben Shelton, who won their opening matches post the Laver Cup, could handle their drinks but Ruud couldn't.

"So apparently it’s just the kids, Shelton and Cobolli, who can hold their champagne hangovers….," the fan quipped.

Here are some other reactions from the fans regarding Casper Ruud's defeat.

"oh casper, i will always love you but let us please win a match in shanghai," another fan quipped.

"While I'll never understand the aggressive hate Casper gets around here, I do have to admit it's sometimes embarrassing being his fan," a fan admitted.

“people acting like he lost to some 254th player not a top 30 player,” a fan mentioned.

"Ruud's backhand has the same issue as tsitsipas' on hardcourt where it is too spinny with not enough depth. Whilst it is obviously better than the greek's backhand, it still leads to opponents taking it early and coming to the net," a fan opined.

Not only Casper Ruud but other 2024 Laver Cup stars face early exits at the Japan Open, ft Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe

Casper Ruud is not the only seed to topple (Source: Getty)

Not only Casper Ruud but many other stars at the Laver Cup have faced opening-round exits.

Top seed at the Japan Open Taylor Fritz was defeated by France's young sensation Arthur Fils 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, and his compatriot and seventh seed Frances Tiafoe suffered a similar fate to another young sensation Brandon Nakashima losing 7-5, 6-3.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Tabilo lost 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to sixth seed Holger Rune, and fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to Alex Michelsen 6-4, 1-6, 2-6

However, the defending champion Ben Shelton defeated Reilly Opelka in an impressive 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 comeback win to keep his run alive. On the other hand, Flavio Cobolli toppled eighth seed Alexander Bublik in a resilient 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4).