Wimbledon drama: Rafael Nadal takes time to care for pregnant wife Mery Perelló before the birth of his second child, but sends a heartwarming condolence message to Carlos Alcaraz after a painful loss – “Be strong, Carlos, I believe you will and win future tournaments!” – Alcaraz’s tears and promise of a secret gift for Nadal’s unborn child leave the tennis world emotional
The curtain fell on Wimbledon 2025 on July 13, but the real drama unfolded after Carlos Alcaraz’s painful semifinal defeat (6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4) to Jannik Sinner. As the tennis world mourned the young Spaniard’s elimination, Rafael Nadal, retired since 2024 but still an emotional pillar, surprised everyone by sending a touching message of comfort from Mallorca. “Be strong, Carlos, I believe you will succeed and win the next tournaments!” wrote Nadal, offering words of encouragement to his protégé while devoting most of his time to caring for his pregnant wife, Mery Perelló, who is about to give birth to their second child in the coming weeks. Alcaraz’s tearful response, accompanied by the promise of a secret gift for Nadal’s unborn child, transformed the defeat into a moment of unity that left the tennis world with a thrill of joy.
Nadal, 39, has been by Mery’s side, who is eight months pregnant according to close sources ( web:15 ), reducing his public presence to support his family. However, his relationship with Alcaraz, whom he has hailed as his heir ( web:15,18 ), pushed him to act. The message, sent via WhatsApp and shared by Alcaraz’s team on Marca , came at a critical time. “Be strong, Carlos, I believe you will make it and win the next tournaments!” it read, recalling Nadal’s confidence in the Spaniard’s talent after his hard-fought battle with Sinner ( web:2,3,11,15,16 ). Visibly moved, Alcaraz broke down in tears in a later interview, confessing: “Rafa’s words gave me life again when everything seemed lost.”
The unexpected twist came when Alcaraz expressed his gratitude. “I’m sending a secret gift for Rafa’s unborn child, something special to symbolize this bond,” he announced, his eyes sparkling with emotion. While he didn’t elaborate on the gift—rumors include a personalized racket or a family amulet—the promise fired fans’ imaginations. On X, @TenisEspañol tweeted: “Alcaraz mourns Nadal and a gift for his baby! It’s more than tennis.” The gesture reflected the mutual admiration between the two Spaniards, with Nadal seeing in Alcaraz a reflection of his own resilient career ( web:18,23 ).
Nadal’s personal story adds depth. Mery, his wife since 2019, gave birth to their first child, Rafael Jr., in 2022, and this second pregnancy has been a source of joy after years of injuries that have plagued his retirement ( web:15 ). While Alcaraz has dealt with fatigue and a wrist injury after Wimbledon ( web:5,10,13 ), Nadal has found new strength in his role as a father and mentor. “My family gives me peace, and I want to share that energy with Carlos,” he told El País , suggesting that his support transcends sport.
The reactions were overwhelming. Sinner, the new champion, praised this brotherhood: “It’s wonderful to see this respect” ( web:19 ). Spanish fans flooded social media with the hashtag #NadalAlcaraz, while critics like @DeportesCritico wondered if Nadal’s focus on his family could drive him away from tennis. However, Nadal’s team ruled out a return, focusing on his support role. The All England Club, which hosted Nadal as an honored guest ( web:0,1,7,18 ), celebrated the bond by sharing excerpts from the message.
As July 16, 2025, ticks by at 4:50 PM +07, the impact is still felt. Alcaraz’s defeat, once a crushing blow, has become a symbol of hope thanks to Nadal’s words. The secret gift for the unborn child—perhaps a racquet engraved with “Strength, Carlos”—promises to be a legacy. “Be strong, Carlos, I believe in it!” echoes like a mantra, uniting two generations in a moment of vulnerability and strength that captivated the tennis world.
