Rafael Nadal makes friends with his son on the tennis court days after Novak Djokovic’s hitting session with his son Stefan

Rafael Nadal was seen on the tennis court with his son Rafa Jr., just days after Novak Djokovic enjoyed a hitting session with his son Stefan in Greece. The two tennis greats are now fathers of two children.

Last week, a video circulating on social media showed the 38-year-old Serb hitting the field with his son Stefan in Greece. The joyful session was full of smiles and showcased the 11-year-old’s growing passion for tennis, as well as the tennis legend’s hands-on approach to guiding him.

A few days later, Nadal, 39, was seen on court with his three-year-old son Junior. They were at the Rafa Nadal Academy and watched the Babolat Cup Masters final take place in Mallorca. Junior was seen holding his racket in his right hand.

Djokovic and his wife, Jelena, share two children. Their son, Stefan, was born in 2014, while their daughter, Tara, was born in 2017. The Serbian often talks about how both children keep him grounded and inspire him off the field.

Nadal and his wife, Maria “Xisca” Perello, are also the proud parents of two sons. Their first child, Rafael Nadal Jr., was born in October 2022. In August 2025, they welcomed their second son, Miquel, named after Perello’s late father. Nadal retired from professional tennis at the end of 2024 and has since focused more on family life.

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Novak Djokovic’s son Stefan cheered Rafael Nadal on at the 2022 Australian Open

Novak Djokovic did not defend his title at the Australian Open in 2022 because he could not participate due to vaccination rules in Australia at the time. The controversy has not brought celebration to the Djokovic family, but his son Stefan has always supported Rafael Nadal in Melbourne.

“It wasn’t easy for me watching the Australian Open final. I was neutral; I didn’t want to cheer for any of the finalists because I really wanted to be there myself. Yet my family got involved, as my wife cheered for Daniil and my son for Rafa, jumping after every point he won, pumping his fist like he does on the court,” the Serbian said (via Tennis World USA).

Nadal faced Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Australian Open 2022. The Spaniard was on the verge of losing in straight sets before completing one of the remarkable comebacks in Grand Slam history. He won 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

Djokovic returned to Melbourne a year later and reclaimed his title by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5).