Rafael Nadal and wife Maria Francisca Perello have welcomed their second child, a baby boy, just four months after announcing they were set to become parents for a second time
Rafael Nadal and his wife have welcomed their second child(Image: Getty Images)
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal and his wife Maria Francisca Perello have joyfully welcomed their second child, just four months after announcing they were growing their family.
The couple already has a young son, Rafael Nadal Jr., who was born three years ago. Nadal, who has previously made his feelings clear on Novak Djokovic, and Perello shared the exciting news that they were expecting another bundle of joy back in April.
Their newest addition, a baby boy named Miquel, arrived earlier this week on Thursday. According to Spanish media outlet Ultima Hora, close family members visited the hospital the next day to meet the newborn for the first time. Reports suggest that Nadal and Perello left the hospital on Saturday, with both mother and baby in good health.
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Perello had been proudly showing off her baby bump at various events, including the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid.
Her most recent public outing was at Disneyland Paris, shortly after Nadal was honored with a plaque at the French Open.
Despite being only a few days old, little Miquel is already entitled to a prestigious honor from the King of Spain. Earlier this year, his father was bestowed an aristocratic title in recognition of his significant contributions to his homeland through sport.
The former tennis player was already a father to his eldest son, Rafael Jr.(Image: Getty Images)
Nadal now holds the formal title of Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca, named after the Spanish island where he was born and continues to live. This title is hereditary, meaning it can be passed down to his children.
Last year, the former tennis pro opened up about his journey into fatherhood, revealing that he always dreamed of having his own children.
“Everything surprises you because everything is new,” he told E! News.
“Especially the first kid you have, everything is 100 per cent new for my wife and for me. You learn every day and every day is unexpected.
“I have always been a kids guy. I always enjoyed spending time with the kids, I had plenty of smaller cousins than me so I had a lot of fun with them when they were babies. I can say nothing negative.”
Nadal also opened up about how his life has transformed since becoming a dad for the first time, an experience that requires immense commitment.
“It’s a radical change, no doubt about that,” he said. “I think everyone that’s a father or a mother knows that it’s a change. You have to adapt to it.
“It doesn’t change me for a simple fact, because I know what my partner thinks. It would change me if I had a partner that didn’t want to travel and wanted to stay in Mallorca all the time with my son.”