In an emotional announcement that shocked the world of tennis and others, Rafael Nadal and his wife, María Francisca Perelló, prepare to welcome their second daughter, a girl, who will be born this summer. The couple, known for their reserved lifestyle, surprised their fans by revealing not only the imminent arrival, but also the extraordinarily unique name they have chosen for their daughter, a name that, according to them, is “a tribute to our origins and our dreams.” The revelation unleashed a world stir, since fans, celebrities and media deepened the meaning of the name and celebrated the growing legacy of the Nadal family.
The news jumped to social networks when María Francisca, affectionately known as Mery, shared a unusual glance to her private life in an enthusiastic publication of Instagram. The photo showed the couple in a quiet beach in Mallorca, with Nadal hugging his wife with a protective gesture while they smiled radiant. The text said: “Our hearts are full of hope while we wait for our daughter. His name is a tribute to our origins and our dreams.” The publication was accompanied by a handwritten note that revealed the name:Stera Mar, a poetic phrase that means “star of the sea.”
The announcement comes less than three years after the birth of his first child, Rafael Nadal Jr., in October 2022. With his second son on the way, the Nadal family is about to expand, and the choice of such a distinctive name has captivated fans who admire the deep connection of the couple with their Spanish heritage.
The Name Estrella Mar has aroused a great fascination for its lyrical beauty and cultural meaning. In Spanish, “Star” evokes the brightness of a star, symbol of hope and guide, while “sea” reflects the sea, a wink to the Mediterranean waters surrounding its beloved Mallorca. Sources close to the couple affirm that the name was chosen to honor their island roots and shared dreams of a brilliant future for their children.
“Star Mar is a name that reminds us of home,” Nadal said in a private family reunion, according to a family friend. “It is a tribute to our Mallorcan roots, where the sea and heaven have always inspired us, and our dream of seeing our daughter shine in their own way.” His uniqueness has generated comparisons with other names of celebrities from celebrities, but his fans claim that he stands out for his sincere authenticity.
The announcement unleashed a wave of love on social networks, and the #Estrellamar label became a worldwide trend in X in a matter of hours. Fans flooded the couple’s publications with congratulations, many amazed by the poetic charm of the name. “Rafa and Mery always do things with such grace! This name is perfect!” He wrote a fan. Another added: “Star Mar is going to be a star, just like her father!”
Other tennis stars also joined the celebrations. Roger Federer, friend and rival of Nadal for a long time, commented: “What a beautiful name! Congratulations, Rafa and Mery!” Serena Williams published a heart emoji with the message: “What a desire to meet little sea star!” Even celebrities outside tennis, such as the Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, joined the celebration, qualifying the name “absolutely magical.”
Nadal and Perelló, who married in 2019 after 14 years together, have always maintained their private life in private, which makes this public announcement even more significant. Despite Nadal’s worldwide fame as 22 times Grand Slam champion, the couple has led a discreet life in their hometown, Manacor, Mallorca. His decision to share the name of Estrella Mar before his birth marks an unusual moment of frankness, which fans have received as a gift.
The couple’s commitment to their family is well known. Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in November 2024, has often expressed his desire to prioritize paternity and his Rafa Nadal Academy. Perelló, philanthropist and director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, is equally committed to its shared values. “The family is our priority,” Nadal declared in a 2024 interview. “Every decision we make aims to happiness of our children.”
The arrival of Estrella Mar opens a new chapter in Nadal’s legendary legacy, which extends far beyond tennis clues. Nicknamed the “king of the whipped earth,” Nadal redefined the sport with his unwavering spirit and a record of 14 titles from the France Open. Now, a family man is ready to mold the next generation with the same humility and passion that defined his career.
A lot is already speculated on whether Estrella Mar and his brother, Rafael Jr., will follow his father’s footsteps. Although Nadal has said that he will not force his children to devote themselves to tennis, he hopes to instill the values of hard work and respect. “I want them to find their own way, whatever it is,” he told the press last year.
While the world awaits the arrival of Estrella Mar, the announcement of the Nadal family reminded fans the power of love and legacy. The name, with its celestial and nautical symbology, offers a light of hope in these uncertain times. For Nadal and Perelló, it is a deeply personal choice that reflects his career as a couple and his dreams for his daughter.
“Estrella Mar will illuminate our lives,” he says, Perelló told his friends, words that reflect the feeling of millions. While the legend of tennis and his wife prepare for his next adventure, the world looks forward, ready to welcome a new star in the Nadal family.
