Casper Ruud has withdrawn from the Nexo Dallas Open after the birth of his daughter and will not face a ranking penalty under the ATP’s new parental status exemption. The world No. 12, who was runner-up at last year’s Dallas tournament and stood to defend 330 points, announced the decision on social media after his wife, Maria Galligani, gave birth.

“Having played the Final last year, I was of course so much looking forward to being back — especially also because I loved my time there last year with the incredible team that runs the event so well and organized,” the Norwegian shared in an Instagram Story on Thursday. “However, with the birth of our daughter this past weekend, I will be spending an extra week at home here in Norway to enjoy this special time together.

“I am already looking forward to being back next year in Dallas, and wish everyone a great week with the tournament for this year’s edition.”

Ruud had signaled during the Australian season that his wife was due “any day” and said his phone was on “all hours of the day.” He was eliminated from the Australian Open in the fourth round by Ben Shelton on January 26. Galligani gave birth on January 30. “Thank you for all beautiful messages these last couple of weeks. Maria and our baby are doing great,” the 27-year-old wrote on Instagram.

He also withdrew from Norway’s Davis Cup tie against Great Britain one day before the teams were set to meet, a decision that broke roughly 10 minutes before the draw ceremony.

The 2026 ATP Rulebook states: “A player shall not be subject to a late withdrawal fine or a ranking penalty if he withdraws within a two-week window centered on the birth or legal adoption of his child (i.e., up to fourteen (14) days before or after).” The provision applies to mandatory ATP Masters 1000 and 500 events, waiving penalties when the player supplies “reasonably satisfactory” documentation. The rule may still affect Bonus Pool eligibility, and at ATP 250 events it waives potential late withdrawal fines.

The parental-status exemption is part of broader changes to The Code announced at the end of 2025 that included a new Safeguarding policy. The article also notes parallel WTA measures introduced in 2025 and the use of ranking protection by more than 50 WTA players.

A sneaker styled in tribute to Andre Agassi is expected to debut during the US Open, reviving one of his most memorable looks. The International Tennis Hall of Famer is reportedly receiving an Air Jordan 7 ‘Tennis Day’ that channels his vintage Air Tech Challenge 2 design.

Reports describe the colorway as Phantom/Lemon Twist/Pink Blast/Anthracite. Official information is limited, but a newly circulated visual mock-up suggests the shoe will reference the popping pink outfit Agassi wore to reach his first Grand Slam final in Paris in 1990.

The release is timed to coincide with the US Open, a tournament Agassi won twice, and the reported design connects a modern Air Jordan 7 to the player’s on-court style from that era. While details remain sparse, the mock-up and color notes frame the sneaker as a clear nod to that distinctive ensemble.

Agassi has spoken about that Roland Garros kit, calling it one of his favorites and recalling how his black denim shorts, hot-pink tights, matching pink-print top and headband, and sneakers drew criticism at the 1990 tournament. The criticism came from Philippe Chatrier, who was also the head of the French tennis federation and the International Tennis Federation president at Roland Garros in 1990.

“At the time, [he] was thinking about bringing in a dress code,” Agassi recalled, “so I did what any noble person would do and I called him a bozo in the press conference. That was a little bit regrettable, but it was an honest reaction to someone telling me what I had to wear.”

Until an official announcement confirms construction, materials and availability, the connection between the Air Jordan 7 ‘Tennis Day’ and Agassi’s 1990 look rests on mock-ups and reports. The stated timing during the US Open and the specific Phantom/Lemon Twist/Pink Blast/Anthracite colorway position the shoe as a nostalgic tribute to a defining fashion moment in Agassi’s career.

Carlos Alcaraz’s title at the 2026 Australian Open delivered a run of milestones that altered his place in the sport. He won the title after rallying from a set down to beat Novak Djokovic in the final, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, and earlier edged Alexander Zverev in a semifinal epic in which he battled back from the brink of defeat and overcame cramps. He had stormed past his first five opponents in straight sets en route to the title.

That triumph completed his Career Grand Slam. He is the ninth man in tennis history to do so and the youngest ever to complete the set at 22 years and 8 months, surpassing the previous mark set by Don Budge at 22 years and 11 months. He is also the first man to complete a Career Slam at the Australian Open. The list of players who previously completed the Career Slam includes Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The victory was his seventh Grand Slam title. His major tally now reads one Australian Open (2026), two Roland Garros titles (2024, 2025), two Wimbledons (2023, 2024) and two US Opens (2022, 2025). He has won seven of the 20 Grand Slams he has contested and seven of the last 13 majors he has played, stretches that date to the 2022 US Open. He missed the 2023 Australian Open with a leg injury.

The win produced several other markers. He became the youngest man ever to reach seven major titles, moved to 7-1 in Grand Slam finals with his sole loss coming to Jannik Sinner in last year’s Wimbledon final, and became the first player to beat Djokovic in an Australian Open final. Since the tournament switched to hard courts in 1988, he is the sixth man to claim back-to-back hard-court majors at the US Open and Australian Open.

Statistically he improved an already stellar résumé. His Grand Slam career record rose to 91-13 for an 87.5 percent winning percentage. He now has 25 career titles, bringing his total of wins over Top 10 opponents to 55 after victories over Alex de Minaur, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic at this event. His 25th title pushed him past Sinner and Zverev (24) and left him second among active men in career titles behind Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz also surpassed 13,000 ranking points for the first time, moving from 12,050 to 13,650.