Casper Ruud caught in political controversy after bemoaning high taxes in Norway, draws reactions from high-ranking members in home country
Casper Ruud finds himself mired in controversy this week after prominent names in Norwegian politics responded to his thoughts on taxes imposed by the Scandinavian nation's current government. According to Ruud, he has considered moving from his native Norway because of the amount of taxes he has to pay from his tennis earnings.
Ruud, a three-time Major finalist, has been ranked as high as World No. 2 in the ATP Tour's singles rankings and has earned over $20 million in his professional tennis career. He is currently ranked 8th in men's singles.
Right now, the Norwegian is participating at the Stockholm Open, an ATP 250 event. The 12-time ATP Tour-level titlist's next match in the tournament is set to be against Tallon Griekspoor in the quarterfinals on Friday, October 18.
In an interview earlier this month with Dagens industri, a Stockholm-based financial newspaper, Casper Ruud lamented the rise in taxes in Norway. The former World No. 2 said that he has had thoughts about shifting base simply because of the taxes that he has been having to pay. Ruud's current residence is in the Norwegian peninsula of Snaroya.
Casper Ruud told Dagens industri,
"I have to admit that I have also thought about moving. There are very drastic tax increases that have been introduced in recent years" (translated from Swedish).
Ruud went on to harshly criticize the government of Norway, which is currently led by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
The 25-year-old said that the government's tax policies are adversely affecting the country's economy and its people.
"It definitely hurts to pay so much more in taxes. I think it is completely the wrong way to go by the Norwegian government. They are shooting themselves in the foot, and causing a lot of capital and people to flee the country."
Following this, Per Martin Sandtroen, a prominent politician of Norway's Center Party and a finance committee member, this week urged Ruud to continue staying in Norway.
"I would definitely encourage Casper Ruud to stay in Norway. Norway is a joint team, where everyone contributes to taking care of one of the world's most well-functioning societies. Norwegian sport is particularly founded on the strong sense of community felt by many in Norway, where people contribute with voluntary efforts and sport is supported through both betting funds and public contributions," Sandtroen told Nettavisen.
Meanwhile, Eigil Knutsen, of the country's Labor Party, claimed taxes on average wages are higher in several other European nations, as compared to Norway.
"Our community is based on us contributing according to our ability. This is how we provide good community solutions such as free school, free health care and security for those who fall outside. The tax level in Norway is on par with countries we compare ourselves with. Among other things, tax on average wages in Norway is, for example, lower than in Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and the Netherlands," Knutsen told Nettavisen.
Ruud recently also sparked debate among tennis fans and enthusiasts over his take on declining to participate in exhibition events in Saudi Arabia.
Casper Ruud urges reporters to not selectively question Saudi Arabia over its tennis ambitions
Speaking at a press conference at the Stockholm Open, Casper Ruud was asked if he had been invited to the ongoing Six Kings Slam, an exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The lucrative event marks another high-profile attempt by the Arab nation to make inroads into the world of tennis.
Riyadh Season, the event's organizers, roped in the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Holger Rune. The exhibition tournament will also hand over a $6,000,000 paycheck to the winner, an unprecedented amount of prize money in tennis history.
Ruud said that he had been approached to take part in other exhibition tournaments in Saudi Arabia in the past. However, the Norwegian said he had refused to participate in them. The former World No. 2 said,
"I didn't get an offer from Six Kings Slam, but I have had offers in the past and I chose not to go. It is of course a controversial country in many ways, but there are also other countries that are controversial that we travel to and play in."
The three-time Grand Slam runner-up added there were other "controversial" stories in the tennis world, citing the example of China and the Peng Shuai case.
"You can certainly discuss China and human rights there, but we go there every year. There was a lot of talk about Peng Shuai and what happened to her, and it's just to say that if you want to point to Saudi Arabia as a controversial country, you should also mention other countries that we're not talking about."
Casper Ruud's comments have faced flak from some sections, but have received firm backing from others. For instance, prominent tennis insider and journalist Jon Wertheim lauded the World No. 8's response, calling it "measured" and "reasonable".