"Casper Ruud really one of us because just the sight of Alexander Zverev makes us sick" - Fans bemoan Norwegian's stomach issue in French Open SF

Casper Ruud's battle with an illness during his semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev at the 2024 French Open left tennis fans dismayed. The Norwegian, who was visibly struggling with physical discomfort in the contest, complained to the chair umpire about a stomach issue.

Aiming to reach his third consecutive Roland Garros final, Ruud made a strong start in the blockbuster clash by clinching the opening set 6-2. Although the Norwegian appeared to be in fine form, his rhythm was disrupted when he began feeling the ill effects of a stomach issue, receiving treatment for the same in the third set.

Zverev capitalized on the 25-year-old's physical struggle, dominating the remainder of the match to claim a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory in two hours and 36 minutes and reach his maiden French Open final.

Tennis fans were devastated over Casper Ruud's stomach issue, lamenting that the illness had claimed another victim after Aryna Sabalenka endured a similar problem in her shock quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva.

"Not Ruud catching Sabalenka's stomach bug, so Zverev can get to the final 😭," one fan commented.

"What is it with players at this French open?? I haven't seen so many stomach aches/cramps/and other illnesses in a while. On the women and men side.😳," another fan wrote.

"Everyone is poisoned at this cursed slam," said another.

Others, meanwhile, used the opportunity to take digs at Alexander Zverev over his domestic abuse trial, sarcastically suggesting that Ruud's ailment was triggered by having to face an "abuser."

The German reached an out-of-court settlement in the case with his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea just hours before the semifinal clash.

"Casper really one of us because just the sight of Zverev makes us sick to our stomachs," one fan posted.

"It’s hard to stomach seeing an abuser across the net," another fan chimed in.

"I'd too wanna throw up facing zverev," said yet another.

Some fans also bemoaned Zverev's "luck" in escaping such illness.

"Typical 🐀 luck," one fan commented.

"Why is everyone other than the pest getting injured or sick," another fan shared.

"Credit to Casper Ruud to play and fight until the end" - Alexander Zverev after French Open SF win

Alexander Zverev

Following his win in the French Open semifinals, Alexander Zverev acknowledged the decline in Casper Ruud's level and movement in the third set after the onset of his stomach issue.

"I thought the first two sets were very high level. End of third set I saw he (Casper Ruud) started to move a bit slower. That is normally how it is when you are not feeling quite well," Zverev told the press.

Zverev also commended the Norwegian for his fighting spirit, hailing him as a "great champion" for pushing through to the end of the match despite his physical issues.

"But his shots are still the same. So if you look at how he moves and all that and if you start to be a bit more passive, he is going to win the match. Credit to him to play until the end and fight until the end. He is a great champion and a great person," he added.

Following his win over Casper Ruud, the German will take on Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster title clash at the claycourt Major.