When Casper Ruud announced he was starting a family, the tennis world erupted in celebration. The Norwegian star and his fiancée, Maria Galligani, shared the news that they’re expecting their first child together, marking another milestone year for the 26-year-old who claimed his breakthrough Masters 1000 title just months earlier.
How Did Novak Djokovic, Tommy Paul, and Others Congratulate Casper Ruud?
Ruud took to Instagram to announce that he and Galligani are expecting a baby girl. “The team is growing❤️ see you next year, babygirl👼🏼” Ruud wrote in his post, accompanied by a photo showing the couple celebrating the announcement with their dog. The heartwarming announcement quickly captured the attention of the tennis community.
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The announcement drew immediate congratulations from several ATP Tour stars. Novak Djokovic dropped heart-eyed emojis on the post, while Tommy Paul expressed his excitement, writing, “Yeaaa Congratulations guys.” Meanwhile, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina showed his enthusiasm, sharing his love by writing, “WOW CONGRATS BOTH,” along with a red-heart emoji.
Beyond the players, major tennis organizations joined the celebration. Tennis Channel offered their congratulations, commenting, “Congrats Casper” with celebratory emojis. Additionally, the Swedish Open wished their 2021 Champion in their native language, writing, “Stort Grattis,” meaning “Huge Congratulations,” along with love emojis. Davis Cup, BNP Paribas Open, and National Bank Open also joined the party, sending love and wishes to the couple.
Who Is Maria Galligani and How Long Have They Been Together?
Ruud and Galligani have been together since 2018, when they first made their relationship public on social media. The couple went public with photos from trips to Paris and London, marking the beginning of their journey together. Both are from Norway and currently reside in Oslo.
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Galligani brings strong academic credentials to their relationship. She holds a degree in psychology from Oslo Nye Høyskole, which she completed between 2017 and 2020. Later, she earned her master’s degree in psychology from the University of Southern Denmark in 2022. Her expertise in psychology likely provides crucial mental and emotional support for Ruud’s professional tennis career. Throughout their relationship, Galligani has been a constant presence at Ruud’s matches, often spotted in the player’s box or stands supporting her partner.
Last November, Ruud proposed to Galligani in a romantic beach setting, sharing the news on Instagram with the caption “Can’t wait to marry you.” The Norwegian called his engagement his “biggest achievement” of 2024, expressing his joy during an interview at the United Cup. The couple shares their life with their beloved dog named Bajas, who was born in December 2020.
What Makes 2025 Such a Special Year for Ruud?
The 2025 season has been particularly successful for Ruud, highlighted by his historic victory at the Madrid Open in May. He defeated Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to become the first Norwegian to win a Masters 1000 title since the series began in 1990. This breakthrough victory returned him to the top 10 rankings and marked his 13th ATP Tour singles title.
CASPER RUUD WINS THE BIGGEST TITLE OF HIS CAREER SO FAR!!!
He defeats Draper in three tough sets to claim his first Masters 1000 title in Madrid!#MMOPEN @CasperRuud98 pic.twitter.com/fAHd8EGrxf
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 4, 2025
He currently holds the No. 12 ranking in the ATP standings. Beyond his Madrid triumph, Ruud reached the final at the Dallas Open in February, where he was defeated by Denis Shapovalov. He also made solid runs at other tournaments, including the quarterfinals at Rome, where Jannik Sinner defeated him.
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His consistent performance throughout the clay court season demonstrated his continued status as one of the sport’s top competitors. With his first Masters 1000 title finally secured and a baby on the way, 2025 has transformed into a career-defining year for Ruud both on and off the court.