The iconic Spanish athlete declared that he would support his son, Rafa Jr, if he decides to pursue a career in tennis, following in his father’s footsteps. In October 2022, Nadal and his wife Mery Perello welcomed their first child, a son named Rafael Nadal Perello. Nadal, known for his preference for privacy, rarely appears in public with his son, choosing to keep his personal life away from the public eye. However, in a recent interview with Hola Spain, Nadal shared that his wife appreciates his continued involvement in tennis as it allows them to share that experience with their son.
Becoming a father has brought about a significant change in Nadal’s life. He acknowledges that parenthood requires adaptation and describes it as a radical shift. When asked about his son’s potential future in tennis during a TV interview with La Sexta, Nadal expressed his preference for his son to pursue another sport, despite the immense impact tennis has had on his own life. He admitted that it pained him to say so, but he believes that if his son chooses a different sport, it would be even better. Nevertheless, he emphasized that he would fully support his son’s decision if he does opt for tennis.
Despite facing various injury challenges, especially in recent years, Nadal remains grateful for the opportunities tennis has provided him and refrains from expressing any hatred towards the sport. He acknowledges that tennis has allowed him to live a remarkable story that would have been otherwise impossible. However, he does admit to feeling frustrated when his body does not perform as he desires.
Nadal also spoke highly of his long-standing rival, Novak Djokovic, whom he considers the greatest player in tennis history with his 24 Grand Slam titles. While acknowledging Djokovic’s occasional mistakes, Nadal believes that the image portrayed of him is worse than his true character. He admires Djokovic’s ability to quickly recover from setbacks and believes that his success is a testament to his resilience and determination.
Although Nadal was scheduled to make his comeback at the ATP 250 tournament in Doha, he announced his withdrawal from the event. However, fans can expect to see him compete at the upcoming Indian Wells Masters in the following month.
According to the Source tennis365.com