Rafa Nadal Welcomes Baby No. 2, Proves Retirement Looks Good on Him
If anyone thought Rafa Nadal would take it easy post-retirement, you underestimated the man. Forget racquets and Roland Garros; Nadal’s biggest victories these days are happening off the court—like becoming a dad for the second time. Yep, the Spanish tennis legend and his wife, Mery Perelló, just welcomed a baby boy named Miquel, and it’s as wholesome as you’d expect.
On Thursday, August 7, little Miquel was born at the Quirónsalud Palmaplanas hospital in Palma, the same place where his brother, Rafa Jr., was born in 2022. By Saturday, mom, dad, and baby went home, probably to start figuring out the chaos of parenting a newborn. (Rafa Jr., buddy, brace yourself for some sibling rivalry.)
A Name Full of Meaning
Alright, “Miquel” isn’t just a cute name they pulled out of a baby book. It’s actually a heartfelt tribute to Mery’s father, who passed away in 2023. Choosing that name is giving “family first” vibes, and honestly, it feels perfect for a guy like Nadal, whose loyalty to the people closest to him is as famous as his topspin forehand.
From Center Court to Carpool Lanes
Since retiring from tennis in 2024, Nadal’s been easing into his new identity as a former world champion turned full-time dad. Not that Nadal could ever fly under the radar, but he and Mery have always kept their personal lives out of the spotlight as much as possible. They’ve been together since their teens, tied the knot in 2019, and clearly, they’ve got that “low-key power couple” thing perfected.
And while some athletes struggle to fill the void retirement leaves, Nadal seems to be handling it like a pro. He’s swapped grueling training schedules for diaper duty, and by the sound of it, he’s loving the “dad life.” He once confessed that he’s always been a “kids guy,” thanks to having a ton of younger cousins growing up. Looks like all those family gatherings prepared him for round two of parenthood.
The End of an Era
For Nadal fans, his retirement last year after a final Davis Cup run signaled the end of an unmatched era in tennis. We’re talking about a 22-time Grand Slam champ who dominated clay courts to the point that people started calling the Roland Garros trophy “Nadal’s Cup.” Sure, injuries finally caught up to him, but it seems retirement was less of a curtain call and more of a shift in priorities.
During his retirement ceremony, Nadal thanked Mery for standing by him through the ups and downs of his career, calling her his “best life partner” and voicing how grateful he was for their family life. Excuse us while we sob into our tennis towels.
What’s Next for Nadal?
While Mery is probably figuring out how to juggle two kids under three (a Herculean task, if you ask any parent), Nadal might just be the kind of dad who gets his kids rallying with mini racquets in the backyard. Whether or not Rafa Jr. or Miquel takes after their dad in tennis, they’ll certainly grow up with one heck of a role model.
For fans, watching Nadal off the court may feel bittersweet, but honestly? Seeing him conquer this next chapter with the same grace he brought to the sport is the kind of content we didn’t know we needed.
Congratulations to Rafa, Mery, and the entire family. Retirement looks good on you, champ—keep winning where it matters most.
