Casper Ruud uses ATP’s new Parental Status exemption to avoid penalty for Dallas withdrawal

Casper Ruud recently celebrated the birth of his first child—and thanks to a new ATP rule, he’ll be able to spend time with his growing family without penalty.

Last year’s finalist at the Nexo Dallas Open, an ATP 500 event held February 9–15, Ruud announced on social media that he won’t return for the 2026 edition after welcoming a daughter with his wife, Maria Galligani, last week.

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“Having played the Final last year, I was of course so much looking forward to being back — especially also because I loved my time there last year with the incredible team that runs the event so well and organized,” the Norwegian shared in an Instagram Story on Thursday.

“However, with the birth of our daughter this past weekend, I will be spending an extra week at home here in Norway to enjoy this special time together.

“I am already looking forward to being back next year in Dallas, and wish everyone a great week with the tournament for this year’s edition.”

During the opening weeks of the season in Australia, Ruud made it clear that his wife was due “any day” and that he was ready to leave immediately to be by her side. The former world No. 2—who said his phone was on “all hours of the day”—was eliminated from the Australian Open in the fourth round, falling to Ben Shelton in four sets on January 26.

Just days later, on January 30, Galligani gave birth to the couple’s first child.

“Thank you for all beautiful messages these last couple of weeks. Maria and our baby are doing great,” the 27-year-old wrote on Instagram.

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Ruud subsequently withdrew from Norway’s Davis Cup tie against Great Britain just one day before the teams were set to meet in Oslo on February 5 and 6, prioritizing time with his wife and newborn. The news broke roughly 10 minutes before the draw ceremony.

Currently ranked world No. 12, Ruud was set to defend 330 ranking points in Dallas after finishing runner-up to Denis Shapovalov last year. However, his withdrawal is expected to carry no ranking penalty, as it falls under the ATP’s new Parental Status exemption.

The 2026 ATP Rulebook states: “A player shall not be subject to a late withdrawal fine or a ranking penalty if he withdraws within a two-week window centered on the birth or legal adoption of his child (i.e., up to fourteen (14) days before or after).”

The addition to The Code’s section on Withdrawal Fines and/or Penalties applies to mandatory ATP Masters 1000 and 500 events, waiving all penalties provided the player submits “reasonably satisfactory” documentation to the ATP. The withdrawal may still impact Bonus Pool eligibility, if applicable. At ATP 250 events, the rule waives potential late withdrawal fines.

The exemption is part of a broader expansion to The Code announced at the end of 2025, which also introduced a Safeguarding policy addressing issues such as bullying, sexual harassment and domestic violence.

Ruud appears set to become the first high-profile ATP player to take advantage of the Parental Status exemption, though tennis has seen similar protections in recent years.

In 2025, the WTA introduced up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for female players for the first time, along with grants covering fertility treatments such as IVF and up to two months of paid leave for players who become parents through partner pregnancy, surrogacy or adoption. The initiative is funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, a WTA partner.

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More than 50 WTA players, including Belinda Bencic and Petra Kvitova, have also used a special ranking protection introduced in 2019, which freezes their ranking for up to three years after giving birth.

Ruud owns a 4–3 record so far this season and is next scheduled to compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, set for March 1–15.