Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has revealed some shocking details on why he delayed having children. In an interview with Spanish magazine Hola!, Nadal said that he and his wife Mery Perello decided to wait to have children because of his career.
“I’ve always said that I wanted to be a father, but I also wanted to enjoy my tennis career,” Nadal said. “I knew that if I had children, my career would have to take a back seat. And I wasn’t ready for that.”
Nadal also said that he was worried about the impact that having children would have on his relationship with Mery.
“I wanted to make sure that our relationship was strong enough before we had children,” Nadal said. “I knew that having children would be a big challenge, and I didn’t want to put any strain on our relationship.”
Nadal and Mery finally had their first child, a son named Rafael Jr., in October 2022. Nadal said that he is now very happy to be a father, and that he is enjoying every minute of it.
“Fatherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Nadal said. “It’s an amazing experience, and I’m so grateful to be able to share it with Mery and Rafael Jr.“
Nadal’s decision to delay having children is a reminder that even the most successful people in the world face challenges when it comes to balancing their personal and professional lives. Nadal’s story is also an inspiration to couples who are struggling to decide when to start a family.
