Casper Ruud has made it clear since the first ball dropped at the 2026 Australian Open that his timeline at the tournament is unknown. Ruud does not mean by the usual elimination in the 128 men’s singles draw in Melbourne.
His wife Maria Galligani is expecting their first child, a baby girl, at any moment, and if he gets the call, Ruud will head home to be at the birth.
Perhaps this is taking the pressure off of Ruud and allowing him to fly below the radar, but he is playing great tennis despite the tremendous life events (Ruud and Maria married quietly in the offseason after getting engaged in November 2024) and uncertainty that await him.
Casper Ruud has some nice words for his pregnant fiancée, Maria, after beating Cilic at the Australian Open
“Someone is probably very happy back home that you didn’t play a 5th set. Your fiancée Maria, who’s heavily pregnant, she’s due pretty much right after the Australian… pic.twitter.com/3bmsLfDuJc
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 24, 2026
Come riportato da Eurosport Norge, Casper Ruud e Maria Galligani si sarebbero sposati lo scorso dicembre! 💍 pic.twitter.com/wKHHIvE8OE
— Quindici Zero 🎾 (@quindicizero) January 2, 2026
Ruud dispatched an in form former US Open champion Marin Cilic in four competitive sets, dropping his first set of the tournament against his Croat opponent.
Casper Ruud is 27 years old which is not old by tennis standards but given the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in their early twenties, his Grand Slam opportunities may be limited.
He was long considered a better clay court player and has back-to-back French Open finalist finishes (2022 and 2023) to prove it.
However, his hardcourt game earned him a US Open finalist finish in 2022.
Wouldn’t it be great if the new husband and expectant father was able to win a maiden Grand Slam also?
There is a lot of tennis to be played, and Ruud’s fourth round opponent is American Ben Shelton. Shelton has played at an extremely high level which is a welcome sight to fans who were concerned that the injury that curtailed his 2025 season would mean rusty play or lingering issues.
