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 not only by revealing the arrival of the baby, but also the 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 caused a worldwide sensation, since fans, celebrities and media deepened the meaning of the name and celebrated the growing legacy of the Nadal family.

The news devastated on social networks when María Francisca, affectionately known as Mery, shared an unusual look at her private life in an enthusiastic publication on Instagram. The photo showed the couple in a quiet beach in Mallorca, with Nadal hugging his wife with a protective gesture while they smiled radiantly. The text said: «Our hearts are full of hope while we wait for our daughter. His name is a tribute to our origin and our dreams ». The publication was accompanied by a handwritten note that revealed the name: State State, a poetic expression that means “sea star.”

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 grow, and the choice of such a distinctive name has captivated fans, who have admired the deep link of the couple with their Spanish heritage.

The Name Estrella Mar has aroused a great fascination for its lyrical beauty and its 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 the beloved Mallorca. Sources close to the couple confirm that the name was chosen to honor their island roots and share the dream 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 singularity has generated comparisons with other famous names, but his fans claim that he stands out for his genuine authenticity.

The announcement unleashed a wave of love on social networks, and the #Estrellamar label became a worldwide trend in X. In a few hours, fans flooded the couple’s publications with congratulations, many surprised 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 sea will be a star, just like her father!”

Other tennis stars also went to parties. Roger Federer, friend and rival of Nadal for a long time, commented: “What a beautiful name! Congratulations, Rafa and Mery!” Serena Williams published a Hartemoji with the message: “What a desire to meet Estrellita!” Even celebrities outside tennis, such as the Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, joined the celebration and described the name “absolutely magical.”

Nadal and Perelló, who married in 2019 after 14 years, have always maintained their private life, which makes this public announcement even more important. Despite Nadal’s worldwide fame as 22 times Grand Slam champion, the couple led a discreet life in their hometown, Manacor, Mallorca. His decision to share the name of Estrella Mar before his birth marks a moment of unusual frankness that fans have received as a gift.

The dedication of the couple is known by their family. Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in November 2024, has repeatedly expressed his desire to prioritize paternity and his Rafa Nadal Academy. Perelló, philanthropist and director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, is the same committed to shared values. “The family is our priority,” Nadal explained in an interview in 2024. “Every decision we make focuses on the happiness of our children.”

The arrival of Estrella Mar opens a new chapter in Nadal’s legendary legacy, which extends far beyond the tennis instructions. Nicknamed the “King of the Llowed Earth,” Nadal redefined the sport with his implacable spirit and a record of 14 titles, from the open of France. Now, a family man is ready to form 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 affirmed 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 fans of the Nadal family recalled the power of love and inheritance. The name, with its celestial and nautical symbolism, offers a light of hope in these uncertain times. For Nadal and Perelló, it is a deep personal choice that reflects his career as a couple and his dreams for his daughter.

“Estrella Mar will relieve us life,” says Perellló to his friends, words that reflect the feeling of millions. While the legend of tennis and his wife prepare for their next adventure, the world looks forward, ready to welcome a new star in the Nadal family.