Rafael Nadal's mother can't stop smiling as she holds his son in her arms during family trip with him and wife Maria

Rafael Nadal’s mother Ana Maria Parera was all smiles as she held his son in her arms during their latest family trip. The Spaniard’s wife Maria Francesca Perello also took part in the joyous gathering.

Nadal has been having the time of his life ever since his retirement in November at the 2024 Davis Cup. From playing golf to watching football, the 22-time Grand Slam champion has realized his ambitions outside of tennis in the past month.

Meanwhile, he hasn’t completely strayed away from the sport. He recently kept himself busy in Jeddah, catching up with rising ATP stars at the Next Gen ATP Finals. The Spaniard, who was announced as the ambassador for Saudi Tennis earlier this year, also posed with the champion, Joao Fonesca, after the final.

Rafael Nadal has since returned to his residence in Mallorca to spend the holiday season with his family. On Saturday, December 28, his sister Maribel and his cousins shared several pictures from their hike in their hometown. The former World No. 1 also went for a dip in the lake, presumably Lake Cuber, with his cousins.

In one picture, he was captured all smiles with his extended family. Also in the frame were his wife, Maria, his sister, and his father Sebastian. His mother, Ana Maria, smiled from ear to ear as she held his son in her arms.

Check the pictures below:

In frame: The Spaniard (third from top right), his wife Maria (second from top left), his mother and son (bottom right) - Image Source: Instagram

The Spaniard's sister (center) and wife (extreme left) - Image Souce: Instagram

---

"They kept me grounded" – Rafael Nadal's emotional retirement tribute to wife Maria, parents, sister, and family

Rafael Nadal's family pictured at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals - Image Source: Getty

Rafael Nadal paid an emotional tribute to his family during his retirement speech at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. The Spaniard, who retired with 92 titles to his name, including 22 Grand Slams said that his loved ones guided him throughout his career and stood by him through thick and thin.

"I want to say goodbye, thanking my family who have never failed me," he said (translated from Spanish). "They have always been there for me, in the moments when things seemed impossible. When things were going well, they kept me grounded."

Thanks to their support, Nadal expressed confidence in finding success in life after tennis.

"Whatever happens in the future will be easier to handle. I know that a process is coming. I don't know if it's difficult but all changes in this life involve a process of adaptation," he said. "Honestly I am calm because I have a great family around who helps me with everything I need on a daily basis. Thank you very much."

The Spaniard emphasized the importance of keeping his family close and credited his loved ones for “making his life better.”

"My family, my team, my friends. I am a person who believes in continuity, I believe in keeping the people you love and who make your life better. I have kept my close family. Without you this would not have been possible," Rafael Nadal added during his address in Malaga.