World No.13 tennis player Casper Ruud has successfully returned home to Norway to welcome the arrival of his first child. The 27-year-old athlete and his fiancée, Maria, announced the safe birth of their baby daughter on January 30, 2026.
A Joyful Announcement on Social Media
Ruud shared the happy news with his followers on Instagram, posting a heartfelt message alongside a touching photo of the newborn's hand gripping his finger. "30.01.2026? Thank you for all beautiful messages these last couple of weeks. Maria and our baby are doing great," he wrote.
The post was quickly inundated with congratulations from fellow tennis professionals across the globe. Australian star Alex de Minaur commented with "Congratssssss," while Holger Rune added "Congratulations to both of you." Other notable players, including Tommy Paul, Hubert Hurkacz, and Jakub Mensik, also left warm wishes for the new family.
Timing Aligns with Australian Open Exit
The birth occurred just four days after Ruud's elimination from the Australian Open in the fourth round. As the 12th seed at Melbourne Park, he reached the final 16 before falling to eighth seed Ben Shelton in a closely contested four-set match.
Prior to the tournament, Ruud had openly discussed his plans to depart immediately if needed for the birth. "At any stage before (the final weekend) I'll jump on any flight," he stated during his first media conference at the Australian Open. "I've given everything I can to this sport, but there is more to life than just tennis."
A Potential Dilemma Avoided
Ruud acknowledged that had he progressed to the semi-finals, he would have faced a difficult decision between competing and returning home. However, his fourth-round loss on January 26 provided ample time to travel back to Norway, avoiding that scenario.
The three-time grand slam finalist emphasised his commitment to family, explaining, "We have accepted that, if she goes into labour, I most likely won't be able to be there during the process, but I want to be there as soon as I can and don't want to risk staying here playing match after match until I'm two days away."
Future Tournament Participation Uncertain
With his next scheduled event in Dallas set to begin the following Monday, it remains unclear whether Ruud will compete. The tennis community now awaits updates on his return to the court as he enjoys this significant personal milestone.
This heartwarming story highlights the balance elite athletes must strike between professional commitments and personal life, with Ruud's prioritisation of family resonating widely across the sports world.
