Casper Ruud is known for keeping his private life out of the spotlight, though his tennis career has brought him a following as he has risen to the top. The Norwegian discloses only what he chooses to with his fans via social media, usually through Instagram posts or interview comments.
As he prepares to face Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells on Wednesday, March 11, let us dive into the details of his life with partner Maria Galligani after the birth of their daughter.
Casper Ruud’s Partner Maria Galligani and Their Private Life Together
Ruud’s partner is fellow Norwegian psychologist Maria Galligani, and the two have been together since 2018, after the former World No. 2 posted photos from their trip to London and Paris together. This was the first time Ruud acknowledged their relationship, stating that they met before his breakthrough on the ATP Tour and that their life changed completely after it.
Galligani was born in Oslo in October 1997 and studied psychology at Oslo Nye Høyskole from 2017 to 2020, before completing a master’s degree at the University of Southern Denmark in 2022. Apart from university, she has also worked in sports nutrition, something closely related to Ruud’s life as a professional athlete.
On tour, Galligani is a regular in Ruud’s player box, from his first Roland Garros final in 2022 to the 2022 US Open final and other major ATP tournaments. The couple has a pet dog, Bajas, who appears in multiple social media posts, including the announcement of their pregnancy.
Ruud and Galligani’s Daughter and Parenthood
Ruud and Galligani announced in September last year that they were expecting their first child and were ready to welcome a “baby girl” next year. Ruud shared an Instagram post featuring the couple with their dog and baby boots, in black-and-white.
During the 2025 Laver Cup and the 2026 Australian Open, Ruud spoke openly in interviews about his excitement to become a father, stating that he was preparing for “a new chapter” in his life.
Their daughter was born on January 30, 2026, just days after Ruud’s campaign in Melbourne ended with a fourth-round loss to American Ben Shelton. This allowed him to get back to his partner on time, which he repeatedly said he would prioritize over his Grand Slam participation if required.
Ruud confirmed the news with another social media post sharing the date “30.01.2026” and thanking fans for their “beautiful messages,” adding that “Maria and our baby are doing great.”
Neither Ruud nor Galligani has publicly revealed their daughter’s name, something the fans are eager to know. He has described his newborn sleeping on his chest as “the best feeling ever” and admitted that becoming a father has already changed his perspective when he steps on court.
Rumors of Ruud and Galligani’s Private Wedding
Ruud and Galligani announced their engagement in November 2024, sharing beach photos from a trip with the caption, “Can’t wait to marry you.” However, by the end of 2025, Norwegian magazine reports suggested that the couple had already tied the knot in a small ceremony at Oslo City Hall.
Se og Hør reported that Ruud and Galligani married in December 2025, with only close family present, including Ruud’s manager and aunt, Tina Falster, who confirmed they were legally married and would hold a larger celebration later.
Since then, some official sources have begun referring to Galligani as Ruud’s “wife” rather than his fiancée, including an ATP report following the birth of their daughter. The World No. 13 is now part of a wider group of ATP stars who have welcomed a new family member recently.
Daniil Medvedev and his wife, Daria, welcomed their first daughter, Alisa, in October 2022, and a second daughter, Victoria, in January 2025, with the Russian often describing how fatherhood changed his priorities. Rafael Nadal became a father in October 2022 and, after retiring from the ATP tour, has since welcomed a second son, Miquel, born in August 2025.
Ruud is now ready to lock horns with World No. 1 Alcaraz in the Round of 16 match at the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells on Wednesday, March 11, hoping to advance to the final eight. However, it is going to be a mammoth task, as PFSN’s exclusive interactive simulator shows the Spaniard has about a 90% chance of defeating the Norwegian, given his recent unbeaten form.
