'Now is a good time': Rafa Nadal teases fans about starting a family

Rafael Nadal delighted tennis diehards around the world when when he linked up with fellow superstars Roger Federer and Andy Murray on Instagram Live on Monday - and teased fans a rare glimpse into his private life.

The Spanish superstar had some early struggles getting in touch with his fellow competitors on Instagram early on, but provided some gold when Federer and Nadal were able to tune in.

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Nadal is well known for being extremely private when it comes to his personal life, as well as that of fiancee Xisca Perello - but the world no.2 let a big detail slip when he was catching up Murray.

While discussing life in lockdown, Nadal told the Scot he had regularly been going to bed at 3am or later - a side-effect of being taken out of his normal training routine.

Murray, who has two daughters, has no such luxury.

“Enjoy your late nights and lie-ins while you don’t have kids,” Murray retorted.

But it was then that Nadal revealed there might be a future champion on the way in the near future.

“I hope to be in this situation in not a very long period of time,” Nadal quipped.

“You never know.”

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After some pleasantries, the conversation moved on to the forthcoming virtual Madrid Open being contested with joysticks rather than tennis rackets.

While Nadal admits he is an esports novice, Murray said he might have found an early edge.

“I played last night and I played as you,” Murray said. “I played as you against Roger, on clay obviously.

“We, I mean me and you, we were playing unbelievable but after a set your character was unbelievably tired. I thought I had never seen you getting tired after one set before.”