‘I Am a Person Who Loves Children’: Rafael Nadal Opens Up on the Right Time To Become a Father

Rafael Nadal has had a phenomenal career from when he turned pro in 2001. Since then, he has won a record 21 Grand Slam titles and 90 ATP singles titles. He also boasts of having the longest single-surface win streak in the Open Era, registering 81 consecutive wins on clay. ATP has ranked him at No.5 currently.

After his semi-final loss to Djokovic in the 2021 French Open, he went off-circuit, citing a recurring left foot injury, which he says is ‘impossible’ to cure but important to manage, in order for him to continue competing. He withdrew from both Wimbledon and the Olympics. Later, right before the US Open, he announced he would end his 2021 season to deal with the injury.

In the press rounds of the Australian Open 2022, he reiterated time and again, how difficult the last six months had been. He mentioned how he and his team had difficult conversations and many low moments trying to determine whether he would at all be able to return to the tour or not.

But now, with the 21st Grand Slam in his pocket, Nadal is showing no signs of stopping.

Rafael Nadal definitely wants to have kids

He is the only one of the Big 3 to not have kids. Roger Federer has 2 sets of twins with his wife Mirka Federer. Novak Djokovic also has two children with his wife Jelena Djokovic.

Also read: ‘They Take Pleasure in It’: Marion Bartoli Explains Profoundness in Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s Camaraderie

Rafael Nadal had been dating his long-time girlfriend Maria Francesca Parello since 2005, and married her in 2019. He has often been asked about his plans to have kids. He has always mentioned that he definitely wants a family. But, he would have to take into consideration his career and find the right time.

“I would like to have children: boys, girls. I am a person who loves children and I know what family values represent. I also realize that the years go by. I would like to start doing all this when my sporting life determines it. I also think that you have to have time to take care of the children. I don’t know if travelling all year with them is a good way to educate them,” he said.

It seems that like his game-style, Nadal also wants to be a father who is 100% committed to raising his kids. Nadal always talks about how important his family is to him. He said that while he knows time is of the essence, he also feels that being an absent father who is always on tour will not suit his sensibilities.

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