TURIN — In the high-stakes, winner-takes-all atmosphere of the Nitto ATP Finals, where every match carries a premium of 200 ranking points and a slice of the $15 million prize purse, one player is experiencing a uniquely lucrative and passive role. Casper Ruud, the 2022 finalist and former World No. 2, has jetted into Turin as the second alternate for this year’s season-ending championship, securing a guaranteed payday of $150,000 (approximately £118,000) without the obligation of striking a single ball in competition.
The Norwegian star’s situation underscores the peculiar and often overlooked dynamics of tennis’s most exclusive tournament. With only the world’s top eight players qualifying, the event mandates the presence of one or two alternates on standby, ready to step in should a participant withdraw due to injury or illness. For Ruud, this role represents both a consolation prize after narrowly missing direct qualification and a significant financial windfall for simply being present and prepared.
The Narrow Miss and the Alternate Call-Up
Ruud’s 2023 season, while solid, fell just short of the blistering form that propelled him to two Grand Slam finals last year. He arrived at the Paris Masters, the final tournament before the Finals cut-off, in ninth position in the ATP Race to Turin, locked in a tense battle with Holger Rune and Alexander Zverev for the final qualifying spots. His campaign in Paris ended in the quarter-finals, leaving his fate in the hands of others. When Taylor Fritz and Rune secured the seventh and eighth spots respectively, Ruud was officially the first man out.
However, the ATP immediately extended the invitation for him to travel to Italy as the second alternate, behind first alternate Rune. This meant that should two players from the main draw pull out, Ruud would get his chance to compete. “It’s a strange position to be in,” Ruud admitted in a press conference upon arrival. “You prepare all year to be in the top eight, and when you come so close, it’s disappointing. But my job now is to be ready, to practice hard, and to support the event.”
The financial mechanics of the alternate role are particularly generous. According to the ATP’s official prize money breakdown for the 2023 Finals:
- A player who plays zero matches still earns $150,000.
- A player who wins one round-robin match earns $390,000.
- The undefeated champion takes home over $4.8 million.
A Week of Waiting and What-Ifs
For Ruud, the week in Turin has been a peculiar mix of intense training and spectator sport. He has been a constant presence at the Pala Alpitour, practicing on the same blue court as the contenders and watching matches from the player’s box or lounge. The role requires immense professional discipline; he must maintain peak physical condition and match sharpness, all while knowing the odds of actually playing are slim. The first alternate, Holger Rune, would be the first call if a single withdrawal occurred.
The scenario nearly materialized early in the tournament. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic struggled with illness during his opening match against Holger Rune, and speculation swirled about his ability to continue. Had Djokovic been forced to withdraw after playing one match, the rules state that the alternate would enter, and the result of the withdrawn player’s first match would be nullified. This created a tense waiting game for both Rune and Ruud. Djokovic, however, recovered and played on, shutting the door on an alternate appearance for the time being.
An ATP spokesperson explained the protocol: “The alternates are integral to the integrity of the tournament. They are required to be on-site, training and ready to compete at a moment's notice. The financial guarantee is in place to compensate them for their time, effort, and for essentially putting their off-season plans on hold to fulfill this duty for the tour.”
The Precedent of Lucrative Standby Roles
While Ruud’s situation is notable, it is not without precedent. In the 2021 ATP Finals, Norrie Cameron stepped in as an alternate and actually played a match, replacing the injured Stefanos Tsitsipas. Norrie lost to Novak Djokovic but still earned a significant portion of prize money for his single appearance. More famously, at the 2014 Finals, David Ferrer replaced an injured Milos Raonic, won a match, and advanced to the semi-finals, turning his alternate status into a deep and profitable run.
The financial upside for an alternate extends beyond the guaranteed fee. Their presence at the season’s premier event keeps them in the spotlight, maintains their relationship with sponsors, and allows them to engage with the tennis ecosystem at the highest level. For Ruud, who ended his 2022 season by playing in the final against Djokovic, it’s a stark contrast, but one he has handled with characteristic grace.
“Of course, you want to be the one out there competing,” Ruud reflected. “It’s the best eight players of the year, and it’s a privilege to be part of it in any capacity. I’m using this week to learn, to observe the best, and to get ready for a big 2024. The $150,000 is a nice bonus, but every player here would trade it for a chance to lift the trophy.”
Looking Ahead to the 2024 Season
This week as an alternate may well serve as a powerful motivator for the 24-year-old Norwegian. After a year that saw him win two ATP titles but fall just short at the very biggest events, the sight of his peers battling for one of the most prestigious titles in tennis is a potent reminder of the levels required. The guaranteed payday, while substantial, is likely a secondary concern for an athlete of his caliber whose primary currency is trophies and ranking points.
As the round-robin stage progresses in Turin, Casper Ruud remains the tournament’s most prepared spectator. He has fulfilled all his obligations, collected his fee, and represented the sport professionally. While his 2023 campaign ends without a final, explosive hurrah on the court, it concludes with a significant financial acknowledgment of his full-body of work over the season—a £118,000 reward for a year of effort, capped by a week of waiting in the wings.