Former Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal smiles (AP Photo)

Rafael Nadal and his wife, Mery Perelló, have joyfully welcomed their second child, marking a tender new chapter for the retired tennis legend. The baby boy, named Miquel, was born at the Quirónsalud Palmaplanas Hospital in Palma. The name holds deep meaning for the couple. It is a heartfelt tribute to Mery’s late father, who passed away in April 2023 at age 63 after a long illness.Miquel joins nearly three-year-old Rafael Junior, who is now a proud big brother. For Nadal, who stepped away from professional tennis last year, family life has become his greatest focus.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 39-year-old former world No. 1 had often spoken about his wish to become a father after retiring. Life, however, had other plans. Rafael Junior arrived in October 2022, while Nadal was still competing. Parenthood, he has said, changed his perspective entirely: “Even if I’ve lost or gotten injured, coming home and seeing him changes my mood.”

Nadal officially announced his retirement on October 10, 2024, with an emotional video in which he thanked Mery, his partner for nearly two decades, for her unwavering support: “You’ve been the perfect partner in this journey. Seeing our son grow has been my greatest source of strength.”The couple’s story began in their hometown of Manacor, Mallorca, when they were teenagers. Known for their privacy, they wed in 2019 in a romantic ceremony at the 17th-century fortress Sa Fortaleza, surrounded by 250 guests.Now, five years later, their family has grown to four. Nadal is dedicating his time to his loved ones and various business ventures, swapping gruelling tennis schedules for days spent in Mallorca’s sunshine.For a man who built his career on relentless determination and fierce competitive spirit, this new chapter is less about trophies and more about treasuring everyday moments, a victory he seems happiest to claim.