Player Features
Ruud in a parental mood ahead of Alcaraz showdown: Diapers, FaceTime & more
Former World No. 2 displays on early days as a father
March 10, 2026
ATP Tour/Getty Images
Casper Ruud grew to become a father for the primary time in January.
By Andrew Eichenholz
Casper Ruud will tackle World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz Wednesday on the BNP Paribas Open. But regardless of the outcome, the Norwegian is already a winner.
Less than two months in the past, Ruud and his spouse, Maria, welcomed their first youngster, a daughter, to the world. Being current for the delivery and the emotion of that second stay firmly with Ruud regardless of being again on the ATP Tour.
“That was just a lifelong memory that I will probably remember forever,” Ruud advised ATPTour.com. “I did change a few diapers in the start and it felt like I used to be actually getting into the primary stage of fatherhood and needing to study a few various things. But we bought there in the top.
“It took some time, but I would say, diaper change is something that gets to you and just being there was incredible, really.”
Maria and their daughter have a completely different routine to Ruud, who’s now on the opposite facet of the world competing once more. But the previous No. 2 participant in the PIF ATP Rankings makes certain to maintain in contact along with his newly grown household.
“We try to FaceTime as much as possible. You call home anyways, but now there’s also an extra reason to call home and when I miss them in the evenings, in the mornings, I try to call and see if I can see them both,” Ruud stated. “But it is further particular to see her by way of the display.”
Ruud’s father and coach, Christian Ruud, was 26 when Casper was born. Casper is now 27 himself, and he has relied on his mother and father for recommendation on this new chapter of his life.
“My parents are fairly young, so they’ve been there to try to guide me and Maria as well,” Ruud stated. “But it’s about learning by yourself and not getting everything fed on the silver plate. And you need to maybe fail a few times to get things right. But so far, I don’t think I’ve done any fails, but there probably will be many father fails in the years to come.”
For now, Ruud will concentrate on attempting to earn his second Lexus ATP Head2Head win in opposition to Alcaraz (1-5). The Norwegian can finish the World No. 1’s good 14-0 begin to the season and earn his largest victory as a father.
