Emotional moments at his own tournament

Rafael Nadal has reappeared in a very meaningful place for him after becoming a father for the second time: his hometown, Manacor. The tennis player enjoyed the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar, the tournament held every year at his academy. It is a special event not only because it takes place at home but also because he was accompanied by his sister Maribel, with whom he shared smiles and a close bond throughout the day.

“This week I was able to enjoy some matches at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where we once again hosted the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar, an exceptional ATP Challenger Tour tournament for all of us. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!” the champion shared on his social media along with a picture of the event.

Beyond the sport, this appearance has special meaning. It was Nadal’s first public outing since the arrival of his newborn son Miquel, who was born on August 7 at Quirónsalud Palmaplanas clinic in Palma. Overjoyed with this new chapter alongside Mery Perelló, Nadal expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for all the kind messages you’ve sent us for the birth of our second child.”

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Since leaving the courts, Nadal has devoted most of his time to building a beautiful family with the woman he met as a teenager in Manacor.

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By her side, he has lived unforgettable moments such as their wedding on October 19, 2019, and the birth of their first child, Rafael, on October 8, 2022. Now the couple is just as thrilled to welcome their second baby, a long-awaited boy named after his maternal grandfather, who passed away in 2023.

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Nadal stated that his life had completely changed before the birth of Miquel. “The way I live has changed a little; I have a different responsibility with my son, and I try to pick him up from school. That’s why I schedule meetings in the mornings and try to organize myself so I can spend more time at home,” he shared on Con mucho de, the NDL Pro-Health podcast. “I thought that once my career ended, I’d be playing golf four or five times a week. But in the end, between work and wanting to be home with him, I only play twice,” he added with a laugh, admitting that at this stage his top priority is family.