Casper Ruud Balances Fatherhood And Tennis Glory In Australian Open Drama

Day three of the 2026 Australian Open delivered a whirlwind of tennis drama, upsets, and emotional storylines as the world’s best players battled under the Melbourne sun. While the courts buzzed with stunning performances and surprise results, it was Norway’s Casper Ruud who captured both headlines and hearts, not just for his on-court prowess but for his candid reflections on family and fatherhood.

Ruud, seeded 12th, continued his impressive run in Melbourne by dispatching Spain’s Jaume Munar in straight sets—6-3, 7-5, 6-4—to reach the third round. The Norwegian’s victory was clinical, marked by powerful baseline play and an unwavering serve. Yet, the real story surrounding Ruud is unfolding off the court. His wife, Maria, is heavily pregnant with their first child, and Ruud hasn’t been shy about the possibility of dropping everything—even a Grand Slam campaign—should she go into labor.

“If she goes into labour I probably won’t be here the next day,” Ruud admitted after his first-round win earlier in the week. He’s been keeping his phone close, ringer on at all times, ready to depart Melbourne at a moment’s notice. “As far as I’m concerned yes. I’m going to check my phone right away when I get off court to see if anything has happened. Let’s see what the next days bring.”

Ruud’s openness has struck a chord with fans and fellow players alike. He credits his wife’s support for allowing him to compete at the year’s first major. “I have to thank Maria for letting me go in the first place. I know she’s at home resting, getting ready,” Ruud said, his gratitude evident. “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.”

This isn’t a solo journey for Ruud. His father, Christian, a former professional player, continues to coach and travel with him, making tennis a true family affair. Looking ahead, Ruud shared his hope of bringing both his wife and soon-to-be-born daughter on tour. “I know for a fact that if everything goes well, the next time I’ll leave my house I will have another person at home,” he told the ATP Tour website. “She’ll be very little and small, but she’ll be there, and I hope to bring her and my wife Maria to the tournaments together and be a happy family travelling around. I’m not just doing this for myself any more. I have someone extra to play for.”

On court, Ruud’s performance against Munar was a masterclass in composure. He never dropped serve, and when the pressure mounted in the second set, the Norwegian broke through with a flurry of winners. “We’ve trained together at Rafa’s academy,” Ruud explained after the match. “It’s never easy to play someone you know well. Special thanks to everyone who stayed, I know it was cold.”

With his win, Ruud sets up a tantalizing third-round clash against Croatia’s Marin Cilic, another seasoned Grand Slam campaigner. But with Ruud’s family situation so delicately poised, his continued presence in Melbourne remains an open question—adding an extra layer of intrigue to his campaign. Could Ruud be a dark horse for the title, or will fatherhood call him away mid-tournament?

Elsewhere, the day was packed with high-stakes action and headline-making upsets. Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova stunned the tennis world by knocking out Switzerland’s 10th seed Belinda Bencic, 6-3, 0-6, 6-4. The 19-year-old qualifier, making her Grand Slam debut, held her nerve in the deciding set, collapsing in joy after Bencic’s final error. Bartunkova now looks ahead to a third-round encounter with Elise Mertens, and her run has already marked her as one to watch.

On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina, seeded fifth, powered past France’s Varvara Gracheva 7-5, 6-2, showing the kind of form that makes her a perennial threat at the majors. Iga Swiatek, the world number two, made short work of Marie Bouzkova, winning 6-2, 6-3 and sending a message to the rest of the field. Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, returned to Grand Slam action with a three-set win over Sorana Cirstea, though her victory was overshadowed by a post-match dispute at the net. “I’m sorry she was mad about it,” Osaka said, acknowledging the tension but also expressing her joy at being back on court.

The men’s draw saw its share of dominant performances. Defending champion Jannik Sinner swept aside Australia’s James Duckworth 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, continuing his bid for a third straight Australian Open crown. Novak Djokovic, ever the favorite, cruised to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Francesco Maestrelli, barely breaking a sweat and underlining his status as the man to beat.

Veteran Stan Wawrinka, at 40 years old, proved age is just a number by outlasting 21-year-old Arthur Gea in a five-set thriller. The Swiss star’s experience and grit saw him through, and he’ll face Taylor Fritz in what promises to be a compelling third-round showdown.

In doubles, Australian favorites Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were ousted in a dramatic encounter against compatriots Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans. The 2022 champions fell 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10-4), much to the disappointment of a raucous home crowd. Kyrgios, ever the showman, encouraged the vocal support and even drew a warning from the chair umpire after some on-court antics. The match, filled with momentum swings and emotional highs, was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of doubles at the Grand Slams.

The day also saw strong showings from Jessica Pegula, who dominated McCartney Kessler, and Amanda Anisimova, who eased past Katerina Siniakova. Lorenzo Musetti, seeded fifth, outclassed compatriot Lorenzo Sonego, while Marin Cilic dispatched Canada’s Denis Shapovalov to set up his meeting with Ruud.

As the tournament heads into its next phase, the spotlight will remain firmly on Casper Ruud—not just for his tennis, but for the personal story playing out alongside his Grand Slam quest. With his phone never out of reach and his wife’s due date looming, Ruud’s journey in Melbourne is about more than just matches and trophies. It’s about family, sacrifice, and the unpredictability of both sport and life.

With heavyweights advancing, rising stars breaking through, and personal sagas unfolding, the Australian Open is shaping up to be a tournament to remember. All eyes are now on the next round—and on Ruud’s phone, as the tennis world waits to see what the coming days will bring.