Casper Ruud has ringer "on all hours of the day" for pregnant wife's call to leave AO, hurry home

Casper Ruud posted one of the more decisive results on Day 2 of the Australian Open, brushing aside Mattia Bellucci with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory.

It certainly helps that the three-time major finalist has extra inspiration behind his seventh appearance in Melbourne.

Last year, Ruud announced that he and Maria Galligani—who formally married in December and will celebrate with a wedding later this year—were expecting their first child, a daughter. As it stands, the father-to-be is in a race against the clock with Galligani due towards the tail end of the Grand Slam event.

“It’s an interesting situation. I have to thank Maria for letting me go in the first place,” the No. 12 seed began sharing during an on-court interview after advancing past Bellucci.

“I know she’s back home resting, getting ready. Except for when I’m playing a match, the ringer is on all hours of the day, just in case.”

Ruud improved to 2-2 this month, after starting his 2026 season on a positive note with a Top 10 win over Alex de Minuar at the United Cup. He’s been tripped up in the second round of the Happy Slam on his past two visits, falling last year to then teenager Jakub Mensik.

There’s more to life than just tennis, but I’m going to be here for as long as I can and as long as Maria lets me.

While Ruud is looking to further a career-best fourth-round showing (2021), the Norwegian is ready to end his tournament if fate steps in.

“If she calls, if she goes into labor, I probably won’t be here the next day, but that’s the way it goes,” he said. “There’s more to life than just tennis, but I’m going to be here for as long as I can and as long as Maria lets me.”

The 28-year-old’s next opponent will be seeking revenge. For Jaume Munar was edged out by Ruud in five sets here 12 months ago.

The Spaniard is playing with house money this time around, having saved a match point in the fourth set against world No. 95 Dalibor Svrcina. Munar ultimately completed a 3-6, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3 comeback to advance.