Rafael Nadal’s baby son is having the time of his life at the 2024 Paris Olympics, if his latest appearance is anything to go by. The 21-month-old’s adorable moods were captured on camera as he attended his father's match on Tuesday, July 30.
Nadal and Alcaraz have punched their tickets to the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles event. Following a straight-sets victory over Argentines Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez, they crossed the finish line in the third set super tiebreak (6-4, 6-7(2), [10-8]) against Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands.
The Spanish duo enjoyed the support of former tennis players David Ferrer and Carlos Moya (Rafael Nadal’s coach) during the match. Carlos Alcaraz’s father and brother, Jaime, also cheered them on from the stands. Also present in the players' box were Nadal’s wife, Maria Francisca Perello, his mother, Ana Maria, and his son.
Although the tennis players went through some tense moments during the closely-contested clash, Rafael Nadal’s son appeared to be having a jolly time. His various moods were captured on camera. The 21-month-old sipping on water, unbothered, also led to a hilarious meme involving Alcaraz.
Check the pictures below:
Rafael Nadal on his baby son watching his matches: "Doesn't matter if he doesn't know anything"
Rafael Nadal and his wife, Maria, welcomed their first son in October 2022. Just months later, at the 2023 Australian Open, he suffered a hip injury, which forced him to the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
He was thus unable to introduce his son to tennis during the first year. Since his comeback earlier this year, the 22-time Grand Slam champion has been frequently traveling with his wife and son to his tournaments.
About his son’s presence at his matches and how the 21-month-old has changed his life, he told Tennis Channel:
"Have a son and come back home and see him and be a father is a completely different thing. The feeling is completely different to anything else, just have the chance to see him watching me play," he said during the Madrid Open in May.
He added:
"Even if it’s for just short period of time and doesn’t matter if he doesn’t know anything about what happened, that stays there and for me it’s a great memory."
With the Spaniards facing Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram on Wednesday, July 31, one can expect the veteran’s son to make yet another memorable appearance in the stands.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here