Rafael Nadal’s family has grown once again.
The retired tennis legend and his wife, Mery “Xisca” Perelló, became parents for the first time in October 2022 when they welcomed their son, Rafael Jr. Now, less than three years later, the couple has added another bundle of joy to their family. On August 11, 2025, Nadal’s rep confirmed to PEOPLE that they had welcomed their second child, Miquel, nearly a week earlier.
Nadal has been open about how fatherhood has changed his life. In September 2024, during an appearance on Spanish talk show El Hormiguero, he admitted that becoming a dad had “drastically” affected his tennis performance, but he called the change “for the better.”
After officially retiring from tennis in October 2024, Nadal paid tribute to his wife and son in an emotional video on X. “To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue,” he shared.
Here’s a closer look at Nadal’s two children, Rafael Jr. and Miquel.
Rafael Jr., 2
Nadal and Perelló welcomed their first child, Rafael Jr., on October 8, 2022. The news came just months after Nadal revealed during a June 2022 press conference in Palma de Mallorca that they were expecting.
At the time, Nadal admitted he wasn’t sure how fatherhood would change his life, saying, “I don’t know what will change in my life because I don’t have experience, but I don’t think it will change my professional life.”
Following Rafael Jr.’s birth, Nadal posted on X in Spanish that the family was “very happy” and doing “very well.” While Nadal has kept his son’s life private, media outlets including CNN have reported that his full name is Rafael Nadal Perelló.
The toddler has occasionally been spotted cheering for his dad at matches, including the 2024 French Open. Although Nadal is now retired, he’s expressed that he’ll support his son in any future path. “If that’s what my son wants to do, I’m going to support him,” Nadal said in May 2025 during a French Open ceremony. “I don’t think that will be the case, but I’m going to support him in whatever he wants to do.”
Miquel
On August 11, 2025, Nadal and Perelló welcomed their second child, Miquel. While they have not publicly revealed the baby’s sex, the Europa Press news agency reported that the newborn is named after Perelló’s late father, who passed away in April 2023 after a long illness.
Nadal has not yet spoken publicly about Miquel’s arrival, but fans are celebrating the family’s happy news.
With his tennis career now behind him, Nadal is clearly embracing this new chapter — one focused on family, love, and life beyond the court.
