Rafael Nadal's baby son baptized in non-traditional ceremony surrounded by family and loved ones: Reports

Rafael Nadal and his wife Maria Francisca Perello recently held a baptism ceremony for their baby son in their hometown, Manacor, as per reports. The event was attended by their family and close ones.

Nadal and his longtime partner, Perello, tied the knot in October 2019. Three years later, in October 2022, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby son, seemingly named after the tennis legend himself.

As reported by Diario de Mallorca, Rafael Nadal, who is presently in his hometown preparing for his competitive return in Bastad (July 15-21), organized a long-awaited baptism ceremony for his 20-month-old son during the break. The Spaniard was awaiting the conclusion of his claycourt campaign.

Nadal, who was raised a Catholic but now identifies himself as an agnostic atheist, invited his close ones and a photographer to the non-traditional gathering that was held at Crist Rei church in Mallorca on Sunday, June 16. The initiation was made official by the deacon, Lluis Florit.

While the former World No. 1 did not share any details of the reported event, he was all smiles as he recently posed with his family, including his sister, Maribel, and their cousins.

The Spaniard's sister Maribel shared a picture of them posing with their cousins on Sunday, June 16 (Instagram)

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Rafael Nadal on his baby son watching him compete: "That stays there and for me it's a great memory"

The 22-time Grand Slam champion's son pictured in Madrid alongside his sister Maribel and mother Ana Maria (Image Source: Getty)

Rafael Nadal was out of action for most of 2023, having sustained a hip injury at that year’s Australian Open, just months after his son’s birth. The Spaniard was finally able to travel with his baby after he returned to competition earlier this year.

In recent months, the 20-month-old has stolen the spotlight with his adorable presence during his father’s matches. During his campaign in Madrid, Nadal joyfully shared his feelings about having his son watch him from the stands. He also shed light on their bond.

"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 told Tennis Channel.

He added that these memories will stay with him forever, although his son might not remember his matches when he grows up.

"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 added.

The Spaniard would hope to have his son beside him when he resumes his campaign in Bastad, after which he will represent Spain at the Paris Olympics.