Rafael Nadal's baby son & wife Maria Francisca Perello bask in the limelight as Spaniard survives 4-hour epic to reach Nordea Open SF

Rafael Nadal survived a four-hour marathon in the quarterfinals at the Nordea Open against Mariano Navone. The Spaniard's son Rafa Jr. and wife Maria Francisca Perello witnessed as he escaped a scare to reach the semifinal.

Nadal returned to tennis action in Bastad after suffering a first-round exit at the French Open against Alexander Zverev. He defeated Bjorn Borg's son Leo in the first round before knocking off Cameron Norrie.

In the quarterfinals, the former World No. 1 faced Mariano Navone, who edged out the first set in the tiebreak after a tussle of almost an hour and thirty minutes. In the second set, the two exchanged a couple of breaks of serve before the King of Clay took the set 7-5 to level the match.

In the final set, Navone led 2-0 before the Spaniard raised his level to win five straight games. The Argentine responded by winning three games to tie but he could not hold his serve and his opponent gained a crucial break to lead 6-5. This time he served out the match to win the second-longest three-setter match of his career.

As the 22-time Grand Slam champion booked his place in the semifinal, his wife Maria Francisca Perello and son Rafa Jr. were in attendance.

The Mallorcan's decision to skip Wimbledon and play at the Nordea Open was made keeping the upcoming Paris Olympics in mind. The event would be played at a familiar place, Stade Roland Garros, where he has won a record 14 titles. Nadal will participate in the singles and doubles categories and will partner with Carlos Alcaraz in the latter.

Rafael Nadal: "I would prefer that Rafa Jr. practice another sport"

Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon 2022 (Source: GETTY)

Rafael Nadal revealed in an interview with La Sexta that he would prefer if his son Rafa Jr. picked up a sport other than tennis.

The Spaniard said that it pained him to accept it but it would be better if Rafa Jr. practiced another sport. The King of Clay added that he would support even if his son played tennis.

"I would prefer that [my son] practice another sport. It hurts me to say that, because with everything that sport has given me... But if he wants to play tennis, I would support him 100%, I would not veto him at all," he said.

Rafael Nadal will play his first semifinal since Wimbledon 2022 (lost due to walkover) at the Nordea Open against Duje Ajdukovic on July 20.