Casper Ruud finds himself in the royal company! After facing an early exit from the Italian Open, he got an opportunity to attend a gala dinner hosted by the Norwegian royalty with his girlfriend Maria Galligan. Although he may be used to battling it out on the court, the 25-year-old tennis player was a ‘little more nervous’ but felt ‘lucky’ at the same time.

Recently, the 7th-ranked tennis player found himself in Oslo, attending a special night to honor King Frederik and Queen Mary. The fact that the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary fell on the same day as the gala dinner in Norway, perhaps co-incidental, made it a much more significant event.

Casper Ruud attends a royal event with his girlfriend

A video of the former world number two tennis player recently appeared on social media, capturing his arrival at the Royal Palace in Oslo for a gala dinner thrown by the Norwegian Royal family in honor of the King and Queen of Denmark. With his girlfriend by his side, Ruud made an impressive entry, all grace and class as he discharged royal duties.

The 25-year-old tennis star chose a traditional black suit and white shirt, and his girlfriend’s hairstyle, tied up, wonderfully matched his outfit, making them both look like royalty. In addition, the seventh-seeded tennis player discussed his feelings of anticipation and anxiety about his first-ever attendance at a royal function.

He said, “It is an honor; this will be very grand. It’s not what I’m most used to, so I’m a little more nervous than when I play matches. But it will be an honor to meet the Danish royal couple. I feel very lucky to be here.”

However, last year, during the 2023 French Open quarterfinal between Denmark’s Holger Rune and Norway’s Casper Ruud, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark attended on day 11. However, do you know that attending the royal event might not be the initial plan of the 25-year-old tennis player?

A shift in Ruud’s plans enables him to fulfill some royal obligations

Just like any other tennis player, Casper Ruud was geared up to compete in the Italian Open, which is ongoing and has yet to reach its final stages. Unfortunately, Miomir Kecmanović defeated the seventh-ranked tennis player early in the tournament when they played in the round of 64.

Despite this disappointment, the Norwegian tennis player seized the chance to visit the nation’s royalty while he still had some time before the French Open. Not only that, he also welcomed the opportunity to interact with the royal family as a proud sports representative, demonstrating the harmony that exists between sportsmanship and patriotism.

Apart from this, what are your thoughts on Ruud attending a royal gala with his girlfriend? Do let us know in the comment section below.