Team GB’s tie was rocked by a late withdrawal from their Davis Cup match against Denmark just minutes before it was due to begin. The two nations faced off in the first qualifying round this week as they took their first steps on the Road to Bologna. Each qualifying tie consists of up to five matches across two days, with two singles rubbers taking place on day one and day two featuring doubles and, if required, the reverse singles.
Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash were named in the British squad to face Denmark by team captain Leon Smith. They were set to go up against Casper Ruud, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Viktor Durasovic, Andreja Petrovic and Lukas Hellum Lilleengen. However, a late withdrawal on the Danish side meant they will head into the tie without their star man.
Ruud pulled out of the tie around 10 minutes before the draw ceremony, citing his desire to spend time with his partner Maria Galligani and their newborn child.
Galligani gave birth to a baby daughter over the weekend, with Ruud announcing the news on social media. He posted an image of the child gripping his finger alongside the caption: “Best feeling ever.”
In the post, which gained over 180,000 likes, the 27-year-old added: “Thank you for all your beautiful messages over the past two weeks. Maria and our baby are doing very well.”
The couple received thousands of congratulatory messages from fans and fellow players alike, with Rafael Nadal among those to wish them well.
The veteran Spaniard watched the Australian Open final in person and found the time to send a nice message to Ruud afterwards.
Nadal, who has two children of his own, simply commented: “Many congrats!!! (love heart eyes emoji).”
He said: “If I get the call, if she goes into labour, I’ll jump on the first flight home for sure. I have to thank Maria for letting me go in the first place. I know she’s at home resting, getting ready.
“Except for when I’m playing a match, the ringer is on all hours of the day just in case. 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.”
Ruud managed to get through his Australian Open campaign, eventually losing at the hands of Ben Shelton in the fourth round. Following the match, he made an immediate return to Denmark to be at his partner’s side.