Chip Off the Old Block: Nadal’s Son Swings Racquet, Delighting Fans at Barcelona Open
While the tennis world is waiting to see Rafael Nadal back on the court again, his son, a toddler, is also looking forward to getting on the court. He showed his desire to become a player just like his father at the Barcelona Open. Rafael Nadal Junior was seen holding a racquet meant for someone much bigger than his size. Tennis will obviously be one of the sports Rafa Jr. will be attracted to. His father is one of the greatest players in tennis history, meaning that Jr. will be surrounded by it and interact with it often. While his love for it was obvious, his current equipment shows it is growing faster than one would anticipate.
Players under 10 usually have a racquet smaller than the regulation size. With a proportionate racquet, they can learn the sport much better and adapt faster. However, Rafa Jr. ditched the thought of having a smaller racquet and grabbed the one the adults played with. As he accompanied his father to Barcelona, he was seen holding his father’s racquet. The Tennis Letter shared a video of the moment with the caption, “Baby Rafa Nadal holding a bigger sized racquet. Growing up so fast.“
Baby Rafa Nadal holding a bigger sized racquet
Growing up so fast.
(via @clapsting)
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 14, 2024
Many would believe that his love for tennis would start showing in a few years. No one could have anticipated that it would come about so soon, but it is not the only sport that has caught his eye.
Rafael Nadal Jr. practices soccer with the Italian star when Rafael Nadal looks to return
Before withdrawing from the Indian Wells Masters, Rafael Nadal was looking to return to the hard court. He was in California for the tournament, which was also played by Jannik Sinner. Sinner, however, was seen playing soccer with Nadal’s son prior to the beginning of his campaign at the BNP Paribas Open. Fans were overjoyed to witness Sinner embrace the tennis legend’s family.
Jannik Sinner playing with Rafa jr. is the cutest thing you will see today.pic.twitter.com/JLZfLatKgk
— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) March 6, 2024
Maria Francisca Perello, Nadal’s wife, can be seen in the video closely monitoring her baby son’s actions. While Sinner stuck to the rules of traditional soccer, Rafa Jr. had different plans in mind. As Sinner gave him an assist, Jr. took the ball in his hands and threw it at the back of the net. Meanwhile, his mother told him to give the ball back to Sinner, but he was too determined to put it in the net.
