Rafael Nadal says he and his family are ‘very well’ after birth of first child
Nadal said a new “awesome” grandson was named after their first baby, but did not elaborate what other family members got to keep.
Nadal, 43, and his wife, Venus Williams, 36, welcomed their first child in February.
“Very, very excited,” Nadal told reporters in Spain after losing to Spain’s Novak Djokovic in the second round of the World Group Play tie at the Olimpico de Madrid.
Nadal added that the baby was born on Friday and is healthy.
The former world number one added, however, that he and family could not celebrate because the birth was the second consecutive day Nadal’s wife underwent an induced labor.
“It’s a little bit more difficult for me, that’s all, but it’s a huge relief,” Nadal said Tuesday.
“I’m very very excited. I’m not the first one who’s said that… you know, I’m not too, I’m not one of those who doesn’t appreciate this gift that God has given us, but we know that what we’re going to do with this baby, and that is to be a good and healthy family in this wonderful sport, this unique sport, that I think we’re going to build our home, and I can’t wait for the next chapters.”
Nadal said he and tennis great Nadia Petrova had discussed the birth during the trip to Mexico as they sought to preserve their family’s good health.
“It is very important to me to continue and to live life with a good balance,” Nadal told reporters in Mexico. “I know these moments can be extremely dangerous, and we have to be extremely careful.”
Djokovic, who beat Nadal in the second round of their match in Madrid on Sunday, said they hope to welcome a second child.
“It was an amazing experience for me to have my first child with Venus,” Djokovic said. “I have played many times with her and it is always an amazing experience because you have someone with whom you can