In Pictures: Rafael Nadal and baby son's identical excited reactions delight his wife Maria Francisca Perello during Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Rafael Nadal and his baby son were mirror images of each other as they radiated excitement while enjoying the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo's delight proved contagious, with the Spaniard's wife Maria Francisca Perello and mother Ana Maria beaming with joy at their display.
As Nadal gears up to compete in the final Olympics of his illustrious career, he will enjoy the support of his family in Paris. The 22-time Grand Slam champion is aiming to win his second singles gold medal and a second men's doubles gold medal on his return to his favorite hunting grounds at Roland Garros.
Ahead of his campaign, the 38-year-old was joined by his wife Maria Francisca Perello, his baby son, his sister Maribel, and his parents to watch the opening ceremony as athletes traversed through Paris down the River Seine on boats.
Rafael Nadal and his son's excitement at the display was palpable, with the duo sporting matching grins and fist pumps, which delighted the Spaniard's wife and mother.
The former World No. 1 continued to savor the experience with his son, joyfully wrapping the toddler up in the Spanish flag and showing him the procession.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion later played his own special part in the opening ceremony, joining the likes of Serena Williams, Amelie Mauresmo and Zinedine Zidane in an iconic relay with the torch that culminated in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
Rafael Nadal set to take on Marton Fucsovics in Paris Olympics 1R
Rafael Nadal will kick off his highly anticipated final Olympics campaign against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics. If the Spaniard triumphs over Fucsovics, he could set up his 60th career meeting with arch-rival Novak Djokovic, provided the Serb beats Australia's Matthew Ebden in his opening match.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion will also team up with Carlos Alcaraz in the men's doubles event, with the duo taking on the Argentine pair of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez in the first round.
Amid the excitement, concerns have arisen about Nadal's fitness after he cancelled a training session with Alexander Zverev due to discomfort in his right thigh, which his coach Carlos Moya admitted was an unexpected "setback."
However, Alcaraz recently laid the speculation about the 38-year-old's potential withdrawal to rest, assuring that the former World No. 1 is "at his best."
"The guy is fine, he’s at his best. He’s always fine, like always!" Alcaraz told CLAY.
Spain's captain David Ferrer also shared a positive update, expressing confidence that the 22-time Grand Slam champion will be ready to compete alongside Alcaraz in their doubles clash on Saturday, July 27, without any issues.