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Ruud in a parental mood ahead of Alcaraz showdown: Diapers, FaceTime & more
Former World No. 2 reflects on early days as a father
March 10, 2026
ATP Tour/Getty Images
Casper Ruud became a father for the first time in January.
By Andrew Eichenholz
Casper Ruud will take on World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open. But regardless of the result, the Norwegian is already a winner.
Less than two months ago, Ruud and his wife, Maria, welcomed their first child, a daughter, to the world. Being present for the birth and the emotion of that moment remain firmly with Ruud despite being back on the ATP Tour.
“That was just a lifelong memory that I will probably remember forever,” Ruud told ATPTour.com. “I did change a few diapers in the beginning and it felt like I was really entering the first level of fatherhood and needing to learn a few different things. But we got there in the end.
“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 different routine to Ruud, who is now on the other side of the world competing again. But the former No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings makes sure to keep in touch with his newly grown family.
“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 said. “But it’s extra special to see her through the screen.”
Ruud’s father and coach, Christian Ruud, was 26 when Casper was born. Casper is now 27 himself, and he has relied on his parents for advice 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 said. “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 focus on trying to earn his second Lexus ATP Head2Head win against Alcaraz (1-5). The Norwegian can end the World No. 1’s perfect 14-0 start to the season and earn his biggest victory as a father.
