22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is celebrating a personal milestone in his life. The tennis legend marked his 40th birthday on 4 June with ultra-rare photos of him with his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, and their two young children.
Rafael was bursting with happiness in one adorable photo with his young family as they celebrated the special occasion at home with chocolate cake. Rafael, who blurred his children's faces, hugged his eldest son, Rafael Jr., three, on his lap while his wife held their youngest boy, Miquel, in her arms.
Rafael had the biggest smile on his face in another rare photo of him with both his sons while standing in front of a collection of balloons for his 40th celebrations. He also shared heartwarming footage of his loved ones singing to him and greeting him with hugs.
"Thank you all for your birthday wishes!" the retired athlete gushed on Instagram on Thursday afternoon. "It was a very special day, surrounded by my whole family!"
Long-time love
Rafael has been with his long-term partner Mery for two decades. The pair began dating in 2005 and made their red carpet debut in 2011.
HELLO!'s sister publication, HOLA!, exclusively confirmed their engagement in 2019 and revealed that Rafael got down on one knee during a romantic trip to Rome in May 2018. The pair had already been together for 14 years before tying the knot in Mallorca in October 2019.
© Getty"Obviously, I have the intention of forming a family. I love children and I would like my children to do what they like," the tennis star previously hinted to HELLO! that he would love to have children with Mery.
Raising a young family
The couple became parents in October 2022 when they welcomed their first child, son Rafael Jr. Their second son, Miguel's birth was confirmed by People in August. Rafael and Mery reportedly live in Manacor in Mallorca, where they are raising their young family.
The family of four recently spent quality time away together in March while holidaying in the Bahamas. While the sports star tends to keep his private life largely off social media, he shared a collection of rare family photos taken on an idyllic beach with crystal clear water.
© Instagram"Recently I spent very special days with my family in Exumas. A unique place, full of beautiful nature," he wrote on Instagram, once again blurring out his son's faces.
"We are very lucky to enjoy places like this, and it reminds us how important it is to protect them for the future," he added. "Always grateful for these moments with my family!"
