Casper Ruud prepared to leave Australian Open for family duties
Casper Ruud has confirmed he stands prepared to abandon the Australian Open at a moment’s notice should his wife Maria Galligani begin labour with their first child, reports BritPanorama.
The Norwegian, seeded 12th in Melbourne, secured a comfortable opening victory against Mattia Bellucci on Margaret Court Arena and will face Jaume Munar in the second round. The 27-year-old revealed that his mobile phone remains switched to audible alerts around the clock, except when he steps onto the court.
The couple, who announced they were expecting a baby girl back in September, are anticipating the arrival imminently, with Galligani currently resting at home in Norway. Ruud expressed gratitude towards his wife for allowing him to travel to Australia at such a critical time.
“It’s an interesting situation. I mean, I have to thank Maria for letting me go [to Australia] in the first place,” he said. “I know she’s back home resting, getting ready.”
Following his first-round triumph, Ruud shared his method for maintaining focus during competition: “When I’m out here, I’m strictly focused on tennis.” He emphasized that being unaware of any developments at home enables him to concentrate fully on his matches.
Looking ahead, Ruud added, “Knock knock, hopefully I can get to finish and play my matches with everything going well at home, and when I come back when I’ll be back next year [for the 2027 Australian Open] I’ll be a father.” This feeling of impending fatherhood has shifted his motivation as he prepares to embrace a new chapter in his life.
Prior to the tournament commencing, Ruud told the ATP Tour that he and Maria were “really excited” about becoming parents, outlining his intention to have his daughter accompany him on the professional circuit. “I look forward to hopefully becoming a good parent,” he remarked, acknowledging the demands of his career while expressing a desire to be present for his family.
Ruud and Galligani recently tied the knot, with reports confirming a private ceremony took place at Oslo City Hall in December. They became engaged in 2024 after six years of dating, reflecting a personal journey that has paralleled Ruud’s professional growth.
As he gears up to face Munar, the world number 39, Ruud is aware of the challenges ahead. He boasts a strong head-to-head record against Munar, with five victories from six encounters, but has struggled at this event in the past, suffering three second-round exits, including last year’s early defeat to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik.
In the backdrop of his sporting commitments lies the undeniable weight of family obligations, a juxtaposition that illustrates the finely-tuned balance elite athletes must navigate. Whether on the court or at home, the stakes are high, and for Ruud, the next few days may well define both his career and his new life as a father.
