In a stunning turn of events that has gripped Mallorca and the global tennis community, Rafael Nadal and his wife, Mery ‘Xisca’ Perelló, have quietly welcomed their second child, shattering the couple’s usual veil of privacy with a controversy that’s as dramatic as it is unexpected. The news broke late Tuesday, May 6, 2025, when whispers from the island’s tight-knit circles confirmed the birth at a private clinic in Porto Cristo, Nadal’s hometown. Yet, the joy of this new arrival—rumored to have occurred just days ago—has been overshadowed by a fiery dispute over the baby’s gender and identity, thrusting the retired tennis icon into a personal scandal that has left fans reeling.
The couple, already parents to their son Rafael Jr., born in October 2022, had kept this pregnancy under wraps, consistent with their low-profile lifestyle. Sources suggest Xisca, now 36, was spotted with a noticeable baby bump in recent months, fueling speculation that a second child was imminent. The secrecy ended abruptly with the birth, but the celebration turned sour when reports emerged of a heated confrontation between Nadal, 38, and Xisca over the baby’s gender reveal. Insiders claim the couple clashed bitterly, with Nadal allegedly insisting on a specific identity for the child, only to face resistance from Xisca, who reportedly favored a different narrative. The disagreement has sparked wild rumors, with some suggesting the conflict hints at deeper tensions in their 20-year relationship.
Tennis fans, accustomed to Nadal’s stoic demeanor on the court, are struggling to reconcile this image with the unfolding drama. The gender of the newborn remains unconfirmed, with conflicting accounts adding fuel to the fire. Local gossip suggests a daughter was born, while others insist it’s a son, mirroring Rafael Jr.’s arrival. Nadal’s silence—uncharacteristic even for a man who shuns the spotlight—has only intensified the speculation. The lack of an official statement from the Nadal camp, as of 2:32 PM +07 on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, has left the public hanging, with social media ablaze with theories ranging from a deliberate cover-up to a symbolic rift over tradition versus modernity.
This scandal comes at a delicate time for Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in November 2024 after a storied 23-year career, including 22 Grand Slam titles. His focus has shifted to family and business ventures, including the Rafa Nadal Academy and his foundation. The birth of a second child was meant to be a serene chapter, but the alleged spat with Xisca—his childhood sweetheart and wife since 2019—paints a starkly different picture. Friends describe the couple as deeply private, yet the intensity of this dispute suggests a rare fracture in their usually harmonious bond. Some speculate Nadal’s desire to name a son after himself clashed with Xisca’s preference for a daughter, igniting a cultural debate about gender expectations in Spain.
The tennis world is divided. Supporters argue this is a private matter, urging respect for the couple’s space, while critics see it as a public unraveling that tarnishes Nadal’s legacy. The controversy echoes past rumors of strain, including Xisca’s health struggles during her first pregnancy, which required extended hospital care. Could this be a sign of unresolved issues resurfacing? The lack of clarity—exacerbated by the couple’s refusal to address the rumors—has turned a joyous occasion into a tabloid frenzy, with outlets dissecting every detail from their Porto Cristo estate to their past public appearances.
As the Nadal family navigates this storm, the tennis community watches with bated breath. Will this controversy deepen, or will a unified statement restore their image? The gender reveal, once a celebratory milestone, now looms as a potential battleground, with fans heartbroken over the tarnishing of Nadal’s pristine reputation. For now, Mallorca remains the epicenter of a scandal that blends joy, conflict, and mystery, leaving the world eager for answers from the King of Clay and his queen.
