Rafael Nadal is again to ruling the clay courtroom, as his first match on the 2024 Madrid Open indicated. However amidst his comeback bid following an damage, the 22-time Grand Slam champion nonetheless discovered time to cradle his son in a young second.
Cameras captured Nadal cradling his toddler, Rafael Jr, earlier than taking up Darwin Blanch within the opening spherical of the Mutua Madrid Open — and the cuteness overload reveals that Nadal’s resolution to carry off on having children till his tennis profession neared its finish was the proper alternative.
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A young household second
Earlier than Nadal confronted Blanch at La Caja Magica, Nadal spent a while with spouse Maria Francisca Perello and their son, born in October 2022. Rafael Jr. obtained some pecks on the cheek from his doting father, in addition to a miniature tennis racket with which the toddler might play — though Nadal Sr. has beforehand expressed reservations about his son following in his legendary footsteps.
Nadal impressed on Thursday and appeared as sharp as he has since his 2023 hip surgical procedure. The 37-year-old, in what is probably going his remaining 12 months on the ATP Tour, took care of 16-year-old Blanch in simply over an hour, profitable 6-1, 6-0 on a windy and sunny day within the Spanish capital.
Nadal, hoping to increase his document by profitable the Madrid Open for a sixth time this 12 months, shared another candy second along with his household after eliminating the youthful Blanch. With some prompting from his mom, Rafael Jr. held up his index finger to indicate that he’s his dad’s #1 fan — with Rafa himself cracking a smile on the sight.
