Rafa Nadal surprised his followers this Monday by sharing a touching family photo on Instagram, showing a tender moment with his wife, Mery Perelló, and their two children, Rafa and Miquel. “Family time in Mallorca,” he wrote alongside the picture, taken in Cala Bona, which has already amassed over 65,000 likes. In the image, the former tennis star is seen with his eldest son, who recently turned three, while Mery holds the couple’s newborn in her arms. It’s the first time the couple have shared a photo of their new baby — a sweet snapshot that highlights the family’s closeness.
With this post, the Mallorcan champion shows he’s now fully focused on fatherhood. True to form, though, Nadal remains discreet about his private life. Even in this intimate image, he made sure to blur the faces of his children. The post quickly drew affectionate comments, including four red hearts from his sister Maribel, and a note from Nicolás Vallejo-Nágera — better known as Colate — who mentioned the restaurant where the photo was taken, Sa Punta.
Baby Miquel was born on Thursday, 7 August, four months after the couple announced they were expecting again. Since sharing the news, Mery has proudly shown off her pregnancy at various events — from the Laureus Awards to Disneyland Paris, shortly after her husband received a tribute at Roland Garros. Their eldest son, Rafa, born on 8 October 2022, also joined them on that family trip. The couple are one of Spain’s most enduring partnerships, having begun their relationship when she was 17 and he was 19 — a romance sparked by Rafa’s sister Maribel, who was Mery’s classmate at school.
The pair tied the knot on 19 October 2019 in an intimate ceremony at Sa Fortalesa in Pollensa, and three years later welcomed their first child. Over the years, Mery has become a key source of strength for Nadal. During his Roland Garros tribute, the former athlete dedicated heartfelt words to her: “You are my best life partner. We couldn’t have imagined back in 2005 that we’d be here 20 years later as a family. You’ve always been there when I needed you, supporting me from a position that wasn’t always easy. I hope I can make you as happy as you’ve made me.”
In a recent interview on the NDL Pro Health podcast, Nadal reflected on how much his daily routine has changed: “There’s no routine like before. I used to wake up to an alarm clock. Now I have a little one who wakes me up at around seven.” Fatherhood and family life have taken centre stage for the former world number one, a stark contrast to the years of relentless training and travel on the professional circuit. One of the cornerstones of this new chapter is his tennis academy in Manacor — a project that represents his lasting legacy and continues to grow in international prestige.