ATP Tour

Ruud’s lucky charm: Norwegian credits newborn daughter for Rome run

Casper Ruud may have left Rome without the trophy, but he believes he still had a secret weapon on his side this week: his newborn daughter.

The Norwegian enjoyed his best ATP Masters 1000 run since winning his maiden title at this level in Madrid last year, losing just one set en route to the final at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia before falling to Jannik Sinner on Sunday. And according to Ruud, the difference may have come from off the court.

Speaking during the trophy presentation, the 27-year-old joked that his daughter had become his lucky charm after joining him in Italy for the tournament.

“It has been a very good year for me off the court. Me and my fiancée had a daughter earlier this year. We brought her here to Rome and she has been a good luck charm and I will bring her next year and we can see if we can win the tournament,” said Ruud, who, along with fiancée Maria Galligani, welcomed their daughter into the world on 30 January 2026.

Back on court, the Norwegian was unable to earn a first Lexus ATP Head2Head win against Sinner. The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is the second man alongside Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters, having won all nine ATP Masters 1000 crowns. Sinner is currently on a record 34-match win streak at the level, having lifted six successive trophies in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Rome.

"I have to congratulate Jannik for his first title here," Ruud said. "What you are doing this year is hard to describe with words. As someone who is also playing tennis at the highest level, to realise what you are doing is hard to describe.

"It is an honour to watch you play and to be able to share the court with you today in a beautiful arena at your home Masters 1000. Congratulations to you for making history for yourself, your country, your team. It is fantastic to witness."

Ruud was in his fourth Masters 1000 final and was chasing his 15th tour-level trophy. The 27-year-old leaves Rome at No. 17 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings after dropping out of the Top 20 earlier this month.

The Italian lost to Sinner 6-0, 6-1 in Rome last year and was happier with his performance in Sunday's final.

“It definitely was a better match for me this year comparing to last year where I really had no chance,” Ruud said. “Unfortunately I kind of dabbed off a little bit towards the end of the first set and beginning of second. That's kind of where the match was not decided but where he got off to a lead obviously. Winning the first set and break up early in the second, it's not easy to come back from that.

“I had one break point in the second set that I didn't get. He stepped up. I think the main difference was that in the second set he really stepped up his serving. I really couldn't do much in my returning games.”

Ruud will return to the Top 20 on Monday and then will chase more success on clay in the coming weeks. The two-time Roland Garros finalist only reached the second round in Paris last year and is keen for a deeper run in the French capital later this month.

“Top 10, Top 8 in the world is where everyone is aiming to be because that gives you even better seeding, gives you a chance to maybe play the [Nitto ATP Finals] at the end of the year,” Ruud said. “Having done that a few times in my career, that's the goal for every year.

“Now this result can be very crucial and important for my season, the future of the year. I need to keep focused. It's a good feeling when you end up getting over 600 points in one week, especially after not being able to defend in Madrid. I still feel like there's more to gain now. I didn't do well in Roland Garros last year, so I have a few chances coming up.”