REPORTS: Mery Perello & Rafael Nadal become parents to baby boy

With 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, including two in 2022, Rafael Nadal has experienced his fair share of bliss.

But perhaps no bundle of joy will surpass becoming a father for the first time. According to several Spanish publications, Nadal’s wife Maria Francisca (“Mery”) Perello gave birth to the couple’s first child—a boy—on Saturday in Palma de Mallorca.

The news, along with the name of their firstborn, is yet to be confirmed by Nadal’s team. Multiple outlets reported the baby is named after Nadal.

Two weeks ago, the 36-year-old flew back from London after teaming up with longtime contemporary Roger Federer in the Swiss’ final match of his career on the opening night at Laver Cup.

“In the family life, personal life, probably we approach life not in a very different way, no? So that's why we can trust each other, we can speak very often, and we're able to speak very feeling free, feeling confident,” Nadal said of his friendship with Federer after the two were defeated at The O2 Arena by Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.

“Having somebody like Roger that I feel confident to talk about any personal thing, it's something that it's very beautiful after all the things that we shared together and all the important things that we [fought] for such a long time.

“Very proud to be part of his career in some way. But even for me happier to finish our career like friends after everything we shared on court like rivals.”

Nadal now officially joins fellow Big Four members Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in the dad department. It remains to be seen when he’ll return to the ATP Tour this season. The Spaniard also has a multi-city exhibition series slated to begin November 23 with Casper Ruud in Buenos Aires.