Rafael Nadal opens up about his experience with fatherhood: "More tired, sleeping less; trying to make the most of the moments I can be with him"

Rafael Nadal recently spoke about his new experiences as a father, which have already taught him a lot about parenthood. The Spanish tennis great and his wife Maria became first-time parents a few weeks ago with the birth of their son Rafael Jr. on October 8 in Mallorca.

In a press conference on Tuesday, as reported by Eurosport, Nadal joked that being a father has so far meant more tiredness and less sleep. He went on to say he is no different from any other father, and that he is just trying to make the most of the wonderful experience.

The 36-year-old has already spent time away from his son, while also occasionally having the little one with him on tour as he continues to travel around the world for tennis tournaments.

"More tired, sleeping less," Nadal said. "It's one more concern in your life. Living it naturally, I'm neither more nor less than any father. With happiness. Trying to make the most of the moments I can be with him."

Nadal was joined by his wife and son, and the rest of their family members, during his ATP Finals campaign in Turin last week. It was little Rafael's first trip away from home with his parents.

Nadal's parents, his sister, and his wife supported him from the stands in all the matches he played at the event.

Earlier, there were concerns that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would have to cut down on his playing time after taking on his new role as a parent. But Nadal recently confirmed that he plans to continue playing on tour wherever possible, at least through the 2023 season.

"My life changed a little bit, I don't make unilateral decisions" - Rafael Nadal on managing tennis calendar along with family responsibilities

Nitto ATP Finals - Day Three

Rafael Nadal recently won his first match as a father, at the ATP Finals against Casper Ruud, a fact that he was quite excited about. Speaking after the match, the Spaniard also shed light on the road ahead in terms of preparing for the 2023 season.

While he plans to give it his all in pre-season training and land in Australia early for the start of next season, he admitted that as a father he has more things to consider now while planning his tennis schedule.

"For me is not work, is practice. Just practice, try to make the right plan to be able to stay healthy enough and to stay ready for the beginning of the next season. How early? I can't tell you yet because, as you can imagine now, my life changed a little bit. I don't make unilateral decisions. I need to check a little bit," Nadal said in a press conference after the match against Ruud.

Nadal is on a South American exhibition tennis tour this week, during which he and Ruud will play matches across multiple venues in South America. The tour kicks off in Buenos Aires on Wednesday and concludes in Mexico City on December 1.