The King of Clay and Maria Francisca Perello have their first child in October 2022.
Former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has been injured since the second part of 2022. He extended his dominance with his 22nd singles Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open. But Novak Djokovic beat him and won his 24th singles Major at the 2023 US Open.
Despite his struggles to return to the Tour, Nadal is enjoying his time at home. A blessing in disguise, his injury has allowed him to stay home and excel at fatherhood. Nadal married Maria Francisca Perello in 2019 after a longtime romance.
The duo had began dating back in 2005 but made it public only in 2007. The engagement was announced in January 2019. They got getting married in October 2019 after dating for over 14 years. As fans anticipated the couple’s first child, their hopes were answered in October 2022.
On 8th October 2022, the couple welcomed their first child. The baby boy was called Rafael Jr. after his famed father. Since then, the Spaniard has juggled between his work and remaining home with his family. He has talked up on many occasions about the thrill of returning home to play with his son.
In the last week of February 2024, OTT giants Netflix organized an exhibition clash involving Nadal. The Spaniard took on the young Carlos Alcaraz. The teenager has been considered as the standard carrier of Spanish tennis as Nadal comes closer to his retirement.
The match was a best-of-three-set duel that took place in Las Vegas. Both players held individual and group tennis tutoring as well during their tour for the exhibition tie. Alcaraz won the match in three sets with a score of 3-6 6-4 14-12.
Accompanying Nadal was his wife and infant boy who stole the show. Frances Tiafoe‘s fiancée Ayan Bloomfield recorded Rafa Jr. striking the balls with a miniature of his father’s Babolat racket. The video instantly went viral as viewers fantasized of the young toddler following his father’s footsteps.
The four-time US Open winner has at his happiest while speaking about his baby. He even spoke of his son throughout the exhibition match.
It’s great. Watching him there is a fantastic motivation.. doesn’t matter if he doesn’t know anything. (When asked about his acting nicely) For the moment. He likes to roam about.
With Djokovic’s son already pursuing the sport seriously, all eyes are now on Nadal and Roger Federer. The Swiss has four kids, two boys and two girls, and he often practices with them. But whether they also turn professional like their father, only time will tell. For supporters, they are already hoping for new rivalries.