Rafael Nadal's Joyous Family Expansion and Tennis Legacy Endures Beyond Retirement

Rafael Nadal BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Rafael Nadal has made headlines for personal and professional milestones in recent days. Most significantly, Nadal and his wife Mery Xisca Perelló have welcomed their second child, a baby named Miquel, according to People magazine. The birth was confirmed on August 11, 2025, and the boy is named in honor of Perelló’s late father. Nadal and Perelló already share a son, Rafael Jr., born in October 2022. The new arrival comes less than a year after Nadal announced his retirement from professional tennis, capping a career that saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles. In his emotional retirement message, he credited his family, particularly his wife, for their unwavering support and made it clear that fatherhood has shifted his life priorities. Nadal recently appeared in public at his own tournament in Manacor, his hometown on Mallorca, where ¡Hola! captured him glowing and emotional only days after the birth of baby Miquel. At this event, he made his first comments about the baby and looked visibly moved as locals and family joined celebrations. He has also been appointed Marquis of Llevant, adding a touch of historical prestige to his life off the courts.

While Nadal’s retirement has left a mark on the tennis world, his legacy remains present in current sport conversations. As highlighted by Punto de Break and Roland Garros’ official site, his name is still part of the statistical and historical "GOAT" debates, especially as Carlos Alcaraz has recently matched a record Nadal set in 2008—becoming the youngest player to reach a Grand Slam semifinal without dropping a set. Nadal’s close relationship with the new generation of Spanish tennis stars continues to draw attention, as Alcaraz advances in tournaments that Nadal once dominated. Social media overflows with tributes and mentions, especially as the US Open stages historic matchups Nadal himself never faced, like the upcoming Djokovic-Alcaraz clash in all four Grand Slams this season, something neither Nadal nor Federer achieved.

In recent interviews and public statements, Nadal has highlighted family over competition. Vanity Fair notes his support for his children’s future, saying he will back Rafael Jr. in whatever he chooses, tennis or otherwise, and reminding everyone that coming home to his children gives him the energy and joy he once found on the court. Speculation about coaching, management, or media projects persists, but as of now, Nadal appears focused on his expanding family and new honorary titles, with no confirmed business ventures or returns to the tennis circuit.

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