Rafael Nadal would prefer "another sport" to tennis in son Rafa Jr's future

By now, everyone who follows tennis knows Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam trophies and once spent 912 consecutive weeks inside the Top 10 during a storied career that is still going on the ATP Tour.

Yet for all Nadal has accomplished and experienced as one of the faces of the game, the 37-year-old hopes his son eventually charts a different path.

Speaking to LaSexta, Nadal revealed in a translation, “I would prefer if he plays another sport, if I’m being honest... It pains me to say it with everything that tennis has given me.”

That’s not to say the former world No. 1 wouldn’t back Rafa Jr. following in his footsteps, stating, “If he wants to play tennis, I will support him 100 percent. I would never veto his decision to play tennis, but... if he plays another sport, even better."

Nadal and wife Mery Perello welcomed their first child in October 2022. Three months later, the left-hander saw his left hip flexor flare up at the 2023 Australian Open, an injury that ultimately left Nadal to soak up priceless time at home in needing the rest of the year to recover.

He returned at January’s Brisbane International, only to suffer another setback during his quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson, “ a micro tear on a muscle” that later ruled the Spaniard out from playing the season’s first major in Melbourne. Nadal was due to start up again in Doha next week, but withdrew from the ATP 250 event after deciding he wasn’t ready to compete.

The trying period has raised further questions on whether 2024 will be Nadal’s swan song. The 14-time Roland Garros champion reiterates that a decision on that front has not been made.

“We are in a situation where thinking about comebacks or winning big things is difficult for me... I haven't decided one hundred percent that this will be the last year. It looks like it, but I can't confirm it,” he said.

“Imagine that in three months I'm fine, I'm healthy... my family wants me to continue and I'm enjoying it.”

Indian Wells is the next tour event with Nadal’s name on an entry list, having used his protected ranking. Nadal is a three-time champion at the BNP Paribas Open, last triumphing in 2013.