Casper Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam finalist who has faced the sport’s greatest players on its biggest stages, confessed that his heart was racing as he knelt to propose to his girlfriend.

Ruud, who won against Jaume Munar by 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in the Australian Open’s first round on Sunday, announced his engagement to Maria Galligani in November last year. His fiancée was present to witness his advance to the second round.

Learn More About: Jodie Foster: Relationship With Wife, Alexandra Hedison

When asked whether he was more nervous playing Rafa Nadal in the French Open final or proposing to his girlfriend, the Norwegian visibly tensed up, stuttering during his on-court interview at Rod Laver Arena.

In the interview, the reporter commended Casper on his performance and asked if his impressive five-set record was on his mind as the match went into the fifth set. Ruud replied:

“I don’t know. It was just a really tough match. I know Jama well because we are both practicing a lot at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca. We practice a lot together, so when you know someone quite well, it’s always tricky.”

He added that Jama knows his game, and he knows Jama’s because they are good friends, which can make things a bit difficult. However, he admitted that it showed during the match, calling it tough.

Reflecting on the final moments, he mentioned telling Jama:

“Mate, I got a bit lucky in the end, with some points here and there. You know, when you come to the fifth set, it’s the last set that decides, and it can go either way.”

Casper further revealed that he was happy that he stepped up and played some good points when he had to.

Rivalry with His Father and the Support Behind His Success

The reporter also inquired about any rivalry between Casper and his father, who was a skilled player and reached the fourth round at the Australian Open. He asked,

“Your best result here at the Australian Open is a fourth round. Is there a bit of rivalry between your father and yourself?”

Casper acknowledged the rivalry with his father, saying that while it exists, he has a better record in most tournaments. He mentioned that his father’s fourth-round result at the Australian Open is the last one standing for him.

He said:

“I hope I can beat it one day, but I’m happy if he also has one record at least in the family.”

The Norwegian acknowledged his father’s crucial role in his journey, emphasizing that reaching his current level of success would have been difficult without his support. He expressed deep gratitude for his father’s ongoing help and highlighted that he’s proud of the work they’ve accomplished together.

The Emotional Moment of Proposing vs. Playing Rafa Nadal

The reporter also mentioned Casper’s busy off-season, noting his engagement to Maria. He then asked if, having played three Grand Slam finals, including a couple against Rafa, Casper was more nervous going into those matches with Rafa or more nervous about asking Maria to marry him.

Casper Ruud girlfriend was also present, and he responded:

“You know, the pulse definitely went up there when I was about to go down on my knees. It was a great moment. I won’t forget it. I won’t ever forget it.”

Casper acknowledged that he was still feeling nervous, especially when asked about his proposal. He shared that, while he will always remember playing Rafa in a Grand Slam final, the moment he proposed to Maria was even more significant to him.

He described it as a beautiful moment, one that he would never forget, and emphasized that it felt like a bigger moment than his tennis achievements.

The Locker Room Buzz

The reporter pointed out that Casper had made the locker room a bit tense, noting that some of the other players were feeling the pressure now that he had taken the step to propose. They joked that the others might be worried about being next.

Casper mentioned that he enjoys teasing the other young players who have been in long-term relationships, hoping that their girlfriends will eventually encourage them to take the next step. He pointed out that there had been a few engagements during the off-season, and he was happy for everyone who decided to make that commitment.

He added that it’s a great moment for all involved. Reflecting on the intense focus required for their careers for most of the year, he explained that the off-season provided the only time for something like this to be considered.

Casper said:

“You know, we are so busy and focused with our careers for 10, 10 and a half months of the year, so we need a little time, and that was the only time to think about something like this.”

Read More About: Newly Elected President Of Lebanon Joseph Aoun: Political Career, Wife & Honors