As he prepares for Wimbledon, is Casper Ruud allergic to grass?

ZIPRECRUITER PLAYER RESUME: Casper Ruud

After making three Grand Slam finals, is Casper Ruud ready to take the last step to a major title at Wimbledon?

It may require an anti-histamine or two (or seven).

“I’m already itching in my eyes because I’m actually allergic to grass!” Ruud admitted during an episode of Ruud Talk with Eurosport’s Barbara Schett. “I’m going to have to start taking allergy pills again. It was a late night at the golf course so I’m already feeling it this morning.”

Allergies haven’t stopped the Norwegian, who once said “grass is for golfers,” from playing his best tennis in the past; he has made three semifinals at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia despite the pollen-heavy trees that pervade the Foro Italico.

Ruud noted last year’s lack of points on offer at the 2022 Championships with his diminished motivation, which will no longer be an issue in the fortnight to come.

“People probably think that I’m not taking it very seriously,” he joked, referencing his multiple visits to see The Weeknd in concert in the last few weeks. “But I actually do want to do well. You just kind of have to prioritize with scheduling because after Wimbledon is pretty hectic. It’s a long summer; I have a lot to try and defend, like the finals of the US Open at the end of the North American swing. I was also chosen to play Laver Cup, and then we go to Asia for many weeks.

“But Wimbledon is obviously so big. Every time you go, it feels royal and historic, so I obviously want to try and perform well,” he added.

Might The Weeknd make it to Centre Court to watch one of Ruud’s matches? He has an autographed LP to pump him up in the meantime.

“I’ve been talking with some of his crew, his manager, because they follow a bit of tennis, so I did hang out a bit with them and go backstage. But I know what it’s like to prepare for a performance and how seriously you take it. So, I didn’t meet him yet; hopefully I can, one day!”

With his favorite artist's tour stretching heading to London next week, Ruud has more than one reason to stick around the All England Club through the first "weeknd."