Rafael Nadal adorably carries his baby son to the car after defeat against Alexander Zverev at French Open 2024 1R

Rafael Nadal was spotted carrying his baby son Rafa Jr. to the car after losing to Alexander Zverev in the first round at the 2024 French Open. The Spaniard became a father in 2022.

Nadal has suffered back-to-back defeats on clay for the first time in his career. He lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the second round at the Italian Open and lost to Zverev at the 2024 French Open. The latter was also his first-ever defeat in the first round at Roland Garros.

The Spaniard, who is arguably in the twilight of his career, has enjoyed the company of his family at various tournaments this year. At the 2024 French Open, Nadal's wife, son, sister, father, and mother were present to support him in what could be his last match in this tournament.

Nadal's extended family, including his grandparents, uncle, and cousins were also present in Paris. They were spotted clicking pictures in front of Nadal's iconic statue.

The 14-time French Open champion was spotted carrying his son to the car following his first-round exit.

Nadal previously spoke to the Tennis Channel about his feelings over his son seeing him play. He was delighted to have his son see him play even though he accepted that Rafa Jr. might be too young to understand anything.

"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. 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," he told Tennis Channel (at 2:20).

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Rafael Nadal prefers his son to play some other sport rather than tennis

Rafael Nadal at the Netflix Slam

Rafael Nadal's son Rafa Jr. is always seen with a tiny tennis racquet in his hands. However, the Spaniard prefers his son to choose a different sport.

Nadal said in an interview with La Sexta earlier this year that he would support his son in whatever sport he chooses but it would be better if he chose some other sport than tennis.

"I would prefer that [Rafa Jr.] practice another sport. It pains me to say it with everything that tennis has given me... If he wants to play tennis, I will support him. But if he plays another sport, better," Nadal was quoted as saying.

Rafael Nadal is a 22-time Grand Slam winner in a career spanning over two decades and is considered to be one of the greatest to have ever played the sport.