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Who is Rafael Nadal's wife? Tennis player knows Maria Francisca Perello since childhood

The pair lived together for over a decade before exchanging vows in 2019
PUBLISHED JAN 28, 2022
Rafael Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello attend the Juntos Por La Integracion charity gala organized by the Foundation Rafa Nadal on December 15, 2011, in Barcelona, Spain (Miquel Benitez/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello attend the Juntos Por La Integracion charity gala organized by the Foundation Rafa Nadal on December 15, 2011, in Barcelona, Spain (Miquel Benitez/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal is a global iconal and one of the greatest tennis players the world has ever seen. The 35-year-old Spaniard is currently No 5 in the ranking by Association of Tennis Professionals. He has also been ranked No 1 in the ATP rankings for over 200 weeks.

Nadal is currently participating in the final of the Australian Open for the sixth time. However, the tournament is quite special for him as he was not able to play in Wimbledon, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and US Open due to a chronic problem in his left foot. About his comeback, he told Eurosport expert Mats Wilander, “[For] the people from outside it is difficult to believe. But the people who are next to me and watched my condition, lived my diary for the last six months, it’s difficult to understand I could play at this level right now.”

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Girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello watches Rafael Nadal of Spain play against Borna Coric of Croatia during their Men's Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2015, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“It’s difficult to explain honestly but I feel lucky, I’m playing with a great attitude and positive feelings. I feel a little bit alive again in terms of competitive spirit. I missed that feeling. I know the pressure is not much for me now, I never believed I would have the chance to be where I am today so I’m just enjoying every single moment and, of course, trying my best,” Nadal added.

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his Men's Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during day 12 of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Though people know about Nadal’s professional achievements, not many know about his personal life. Like his career, he has also aced well in his love life. It has been said that Nadal has known his wife since their childhood and their love has only grown for each other.

Rafael Nadal of Spain and girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello arrive at the Battersea Power Station during previews for the ATP World Tour Finals Tennis on November 17, 2011 in London, England (Julian Finney/Getty Images for ATP)

Who is Rafael Nadal's wife? 

Maria Francisca Perello aka Xisca is the wife of Nadal. The winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, including 13 French Open titles, reportedly tied the knot with her in 2019 after the end of the US Open. It has been said that it’s Perello’s presence in the stands that motivates him to do well in the courts.

Rafael Nadal of Spain's girlfriend Xisca Perello attends his men's singles third round match against Ivan Dodig of Croatia on Day Six of the 2013 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2013, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

There is not much information about Perello out in the public since she seems to be a private person with no social media pages. She has her own reasons for that as well as she said once: “I am not in them because those images are snapshots of a moment. They are not planned. In the case of tennis, it was a spur-of-the-moment idea and they put it up because it was fun. But that’s it. Besides, I’ve always been very clear that I’m not the famous one.”

However, reports have stated that she is a graduate in business from the University of the Balearic Islands located in the city of Palma. She has experience working as a sports marketer. However, later she joined her husband’s family business and serves as a Project Director of Strategy and Relations with Institutions for the Rafa Nadal Foundation which Nadal started with his mother in 2008.

According to reports, Perello is Nadal’s sister Maribel’s friend. Maribel introduced her to his brother and they began dating as teenagers. However, their romance became public in 2007 whenNadal himself declared it to the world. It has been said that the pair lived together for over a decade before exchanging vows in 2019. Their special day happened at a fortress called La Fortaleza and was attended by well-known guests including the former King of Spain, Juan Carlos I.

In this handout photo provided by the Fundacion Rafa Nadal, Rafa Nadal poses with wife Xisca Perello for the official wedding portraits after they were married on October 19, 2019 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Fundacion Rafa Nadal via Getty Images)

Nadal and Perello do not have kids as of now, but the tennis star said in 2020, “I trust so (I'm going to have them). I love children. But there is a problem. I thought we will have children, well, when I retire. But of course, I thought that at 30 I would be 'kaput', but the career has been extending.”

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