"I might get a call and be on the plane back home”: Casper Ruud faces possible mid-Australian Open absence for baby

Casper Ruud arrived in Auckland to compete at the ASB Classic, where he will play his second tournament of the season. The Norwegian competed at the United Cup last week, earning a win over Alex de Minaur (6 3, 6 3) and losing to Jakub Mensik (5 7, 6 7) in Europe’s Round Stage elimination.

Ruud begins a new year on the Tour, although with some changes in his personal life. During the off-season, he got married in a private ceremony at Oslo City Hall in December, while his — now wife — is in the final stage of her pregnancy, which could even coincide with the Australian Open.

The former world No. 2 will have a month in which he will be paying close attention to what happens in Norway with his wife, Maria Galligani, who is in the last month of her pregnancy. Ruud acknowledged that they expect their first daughter could arrive at any moment, although he hopes this does not force him to interrupt any of his tournaments in Australia — where he will play the ASB Classic and then travel quickly to Melbourne for the Australian Open.

"Just going to do my best. It's the first time for a few things for me, and obviously, one of the biggest moments will be welcoming our first child back home,” the world No. 13 said in his press conference. “Honestly, she can come anytime now. Hopefully, I get to stay for the rest of the tournament. But you never know; I might get a call and be on the plane back home."

The three-time Grand Slam runner-up hopes he won’t have to interrupt his upcoming weeks of competition, considering the long journey from Australia to Norway. "But it's no short trip back home. So, hopefully, she stays in for a few extra weeks, and I can be there for the birth. Later in the year, we'll have our wedding and celebrate our marriage. So, it will be a really fun year."

The years have passed for Ruud, who at 27 is already one of the tour’s top players after five consecutive seasons finishing at least in the top 12, with appearances in Grand Slam finals, a Masters 1000 title at the Madrid Open this year, as well as other Masters 1000 finals, ATP Finals appearances, and a total of 14 career titles.

Ruud can now consider himself experienced at the top level, although he is still far from being old and believes he can even surpass his previous achievements. "I just turned 27 in December, so I don't feel old at all. In tennis terms, like I just said, 10 years ago I made my debut on the ATP Tour. We're trying to start talking about decades here, which sounds a little scary, but that's how it goes. You have older guys than me, and you have much younger guys than me, so I'm kind of in between now."

"I feel like the next five years of my career can still be, hopefully even more, but I see no reason why the next five years shouldn't be as good as the last five years. I hope that I'm entering my prime from being around 26–27 to 32–33. I will consider those years to be hopefully my best years."

The Norwegian is looking to get ready for the Australian Open with more competitive matches before the first major of the year. He is still waiting to know his debut round opponent — after receiving a first-round bye, he will face the winner between Fabian Marozsan and defending champion Gael Monfils.