Casper Ruud: A New Chapter On and Off the Court
Casper Ruud is embarking on a new journey, both personally and professionally. As he begins his debut campaign at the Delray Beach Open, the Norwegian arrives with a powerful new source of motivation: the recent birth of his daughter with fiancée Maria. This isn’t just another tournament for Ruud; it’s a testament to the life-altering joy of fatherhood.
The Emotional Whirlwind of New Fatherhood
Ahead of his opening match against Marcos Giron at the ATP 250 hard-court event, Ruud shared his emotions with the media. “It was an incredibly emotional moment,” he confessed. “I think for anyone who has become a parent, it’s an incredible feeling and hard to explain with words.”
The arrival of his daughter has fundamentally reshaped his perspective. Ruud is looking ahead with excitement, envisioning the years of care and love to come. “I’m excited for the future. This is just the beginning of 20 to 25 years of taking care of her. It’s fun and exciting, I will try to use it as motivation and try to remember that you’ve travelled this far and being away from her, you might as well try your best and play some good tennis while you’re at it.”
Balancing Tour Life with Family
Ruud’s strong start to the season, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, was followed by the joyous announcement of his daughter’s birth. Now, the challenge lies in harmonizing the demands of the ATP Tour with the responsibilities of a new father. The upcoming hard-court swing – encompassing Delray Beach, Acapulco, Indian Wells, and Miami – will be a true test of his ability to balance these worlds.
The former No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings acknowledges the difficulties ahead. “It will be a tough trip, because it won’t be that easy for them to come over here and I will miss them and at times feel homesick,” Ruud admitted. He’s determined to make the most of this period, aiming to finish the hard-court season strongly before returning to Europe for the clay season.
Focusing on the Present, Playing for More
Ruud’s goals are clear: “That will be the goal for these couple of weeks and months coming up, [starting] here, then Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami: To win some matches and see if I can play for more than myself.” He’s drawing strength from his family, using their love as fuel for his competitive spirit.
Delray Beach and Beyond
The Delray Beach Open presents a challenging field, featuring two-time champion Taylor Fritz and reigning Next Gen ATP Finals titlist Learner Tien. Ruud’s first hurdle is Marcos Giron, a familiar opponent with a 2-2 head-to-head record.
Despite the significant changes in his personal life, Ruud remains confident in his tennis fundamentals. “My forehand still feels pretty similar to before, and my backhand as well,” he joked. “I haven’t got an overuse of my arm yet. I haven’t carried her too much yet!”
Stay updated on Casper Ruud’s journey and the latest tennis news at the official ATP Tour website.
