Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, known for his unmatched grit and determination on the court, recently opened up in a rare interview about his son, Rafael Jr., and the child’s surprising potential in sports. While fans might expect the 22-time Grand Slam champion to be grooming his son to follow in his footsteps on the tennis court, Nadal’s revelation caught many off guard.
“I don’t know if he will play tennis,” Nadal said with a smile. “He seems to love sports, yes—but not necessarily the one I’m famous for.”
According to Nadal, his son, born in October 2022, has shown an early and unexpected interest in soccer. “He kicks everything,” Nadal joked. “The ball, the pillows, even food sometimes. He has this energy I recognize—it’s the same hunger I had as a child, but it comes out in different ways.”
What truly surprised fans, however, was Nadal’s candid explanation for why he might not encourage his son to pursue tennis professionally. “I know what it takes,” he said. “The discipline, the sacrifice, the pressure. It’s a beautiful sport, but it’s also a very lonely one. You grow up faster than you should. I’m not sure I want that for him.”
The comment sparked widespread reaction, with many admiring Nadal’s honesty and grounded parenting approach. While some sports stars push their children to continue their legacy, Nadal appears more focused on his son’s happiness than his achievements.
“He can play soccer, tennis, golf—whatever he wants. Or nothing at all,” Nadal continued. “The only thing I will push for is that he grows up healthy, with values, and respect for others.”
Despite his reluctance to pressure his son into tennis, Nadal hasn’t ruled it out entirely. “If one day he picks up a racket and falls in love with the game, I will be there. But I will never be the father who demands trophies. I want to be the father who celebrates effort.”
As Nadal gradually transitions into retirement from professional tennis, his new role as a father is clearly where his heart lies. Whether Rafael Jr. becomes a sports star or not, one thing is certain—he’ll grow up with a champion’s mindset, and perhaps more importantly, a champion’s heart.
