“I Don’t Think…,” Rafael Nadal Reveals If He Wants Son to Pursue Tennis As Career

Rafael Nadal lifted his career's last Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open by beating Casper Ruud.

“I Don’t Think…,” Rafael Nadal Reveals If He Wants Son to Pursue Tennis As Career

Rafael Nadal with his son (Image via X/World Rafa Nadal)

Rafael Nadal hung up his racket at the Davis Cup in Malaga last November after Spain’s 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands. Since he was unsure about his retirement during the French Open last year, he refused to have a farewell.

He did receive a tribute ceremony at the Davis Cup but many felt it lacked grandeur. The Roland Garros then decided to organize a surprise ceremony for the King of Clay, and on Sunday (May 25th), the much-awaited ceremony was held on Court Philippe-Chatrier where Nadal’s footprint will forever be engraved.

The ceremony was attended by his longtime rivals Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. In the stands, among his many supporters, was his son, Rafa Nadal Jr., sitting on the lap of his mother, Maria Francisca Perello.

Later, with Rafa Jr., Nadal waved to the fans and made one final lap around the court. When asked at the press conference whether he would support his son if he wanted to pursue tennis as a career, Nadal said if his son “leaves the tennis career the way that I left, of course, yes“.

At the same time, when you are doing what you want to do, you are not doing sacrifices. You work hard. You push as much as you can. But you do what you want to do. Let’s say if my son feels that way, I will support him. I don’t think it’ll be the case. But I will support him in anything he wants to do.

Rafael Nadal said at the press conference

Nadal’s last Grand Slam title came at the 2022 French Open where he beat Casper Ruud without breaking a sweat. His last Grand Slam tournament too was the French Open (in 2024), where he lost in the first round to eventual finalist Alexander Zverev.

Iga Swiatek shares values she has learned from Rafael Nadal

Iga Swiatek was sitting in the first row of Chatrier during Rafael Nadal‘s retirement ceremony. In less than 24 hours, she returned to the same court to play her first match.

Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek (2)
Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek (Image via Tennis X/The Tennis Letter)

Swiatek booked herself a spot in the second round with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Rebecca Sramkova. After the match, the Pole made her feelings known about the ceremony and said she is impressed by the values Nadal lives by.

He’s a very humble person, I appreciate him a lot; he’s a role model for everyone, especially now when people are just looking for drama and being everywhere. He just does his job, focuses on that, that’s why he’s adored.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

Swiatek will next be locking horns with Emma Raducanu, who she defeated four times in as many matches. The five-time Grand Slam champion is still searching for her first singles title since winning the French Open last year by defeating Jasmine Paolini.

Swiatek is on a 22-match winning streak as she hasn’t yet lost a match in the clay-court Major since her defeat in the quarterfinal back in 2021. The four-time French Open champion is chasing history in the tournament as another title will make her the first woman in the Open Era to win four consecutive Roland Garros trophies.

Except for the Italian Open, the 23-year-old has reached the quarterfinal of every tournament. In Rome and Madrid, she was the defending champion but her campaign was ended by eventual runner-up Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins, respectively.

Due to her slump in form, she dropped to the fifth position on the rankings table. She is projected to meet Paolini in the quarterfinals, Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinal and Gauff in the final.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Moved by the Emotional Roland Garros Tribute to ‘Idol’ Rafael Nadal