The legend of tennis Rafael Nadal, who won 22 Grand Slam titles, is not only famous for strong topspin but also with discreet personal life. Since welcoming his first son, Rafael Nadal Jr., in October 2022 with his wife Maria Francisca Perelló, his life has turned to a new emotional and challenging page. In recent interviews, Nadal shared a parent journey and the major changes that this role brings.

Nadal admits that being a father is a completely new experience. “Everything surprised you because it was all new,” he told me! News at a press conference before the Netflix Slam performance match in March 2024. Despite being a tennis superstar, Nadal shows that he is like any father, facing challenges like insomnia and worried for his children.

However, Nadal is no stranger to children. “I am always a young lover,” he shared. “I like to spend time playing with babies, especially my little cousins.” This experience has helped him prepare for the role of a father, even though he still has to learn how to adapt to the new responsibility. The birth of Rafael Jr. brought Nadal a “unmistakable love” and changed his perspective on life. He emphasized that the family is now a top priority, surpassing the success on the tennis court.

However, the journey of a father is not always smooth. Nadal humorously shared that since his son was born, he “lost more matches” in his career. In an interview at Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, he said: “I don’t think I am an excellent player in my son’s eyes. But there is him beside me to help me overcome difficult times in the past two years.” This shows that his son’s presence is a great motivation, especially when Nadal faces injuries and decides to retire at the end of 2024.

Nadal also expressed his desire to freely choose his path. “I want you to play a sport other than tennis,” he said, but he would support 100% if his son chose to follow his father’s footsteps. For Nadal, a father is not only a responsibility but also a joy, helping him find a balance after the years of devotion to tennis. This journey, as he described, is a meaningful “surprise adventure”.