Casper Ruud acknowledges that his girlfriend, Maria Galligani, does not like being in the spotlight and explained in an interview why she chooses to live like that.
Ruud is also not naturally very attention-seeking. The Norwegian has a reputation for being one of the most humble and down-to-earth players on the ATP Tour.
A rare exception was when Ruud became fiery while discussing players' complaints about the balls used at tournaments. The 25-year-old said he was sick of hearing whining about it and thought drama was being created out of nothing.
However, although Ruud generally does not crave the spotlight, his role as a player means there are many times he has no choice, especially since the three-time Grand Slam runner-up is near the top of the sport.
Ruud created welcome headlines at the ongoing ATP Finals by defeating the four-time Grand Slam champion, Carlos Alcaraz, after a very solid performance in his opening match in Turin.
Alcaraz was struggling with an illness, but that should not take credit away from Ruud for his performance. The Norwegian thoroughly deserved to win and demonstrated why he was the runner-up at the 2022 iteration of the tournament.
Ruud's reputation has grown, but his girlfriend does not wish to always be visible in public. Their relationship contrasts with Stefanos and Paula Badosa or Taylor Fritz's relationship with internet personality Morgan Riddle.
The two-time French Open runner-up spoke about his girlfriend in an interview with We Are Tennis. Ruud says that not being very visible is his girlfriend's choice and admits that some of his tournament commitments mean he cannot always prioritize Maria.
"No, it's by her. I mean, it's her choice. Obviously, we met before I got to the level I was at now, so things have changed for her, as well, and it hasn't always been easy."
"There are more things in my life that I have to take care of now than when we met. So when you're together with or a girlfriend or partner or fiancée, wife of an athlete, you have to be prioritized No. 3, 4, 5 even some days, because there are many other things that I have to do before."
The Norwegian also praised Maria for being patient about all the things Ruud must commit to as a tennis player and is happy that she is strong about not wanting to be engaged on social media to keep her life private.
"So she's been very, very patient and great with these things, and on the social media side and kind of headlight side, she doesn't want it. She wants to be her own, in control of her own kind of life and especially personal life. I'm happy that she's found that way."
All that matters is Ruud and Maria are happy and do what is right for them. The 2022 ATP Finals runner-up certainly seems like a very content guy off the court, and his relationship with Maria probably plays no small role in that.