Table of Contents
- Rafael Nadal, the undisputed King of Clay, was the centre of attention on Sunday during his French Open farewell at Court Philippe-Chatrier
- Many of his closest family members were also at the event, including his grandmothers, father Sebastian, mother Ana, sister, Maribel, wife Maria, son Rafa Jr. and his uncle Toni
- Nadal is a family man who is married to the beautiful Maria Francisca Perello Pascual, known to many as Mery Xisca Perello
Rafael Nadal wife. Sportsleo takes a closer look at the tennis icon beautiful family, including little known details about his wife. Nadal, the undisputed King of Clay, was the centre of attention on Sunday during his French Open farewell at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Nadal, who announced his retirement from tennis late last year, was honored in a moving tribute in an event attended by other greats of the game, including Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Modern stars such as fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek were also present in the 15,000-seater stadium.
Many of his closest family members were also at the event, including his grandmothers, father Sebastian, mother Ana Maria Parera, sister, Maribel, wife Maria, son Rafa Jr. and his uncle Toni who coached him for the majority of his career.
Rafael Nadal dominated the French Open winning 14 titles. Photo/ Tennis Majors.
Nadal dominated the French Open from 2005 to 2022, winning 14 titles. The chants of “Rafa Rafa Rafa” filled the venue as fans waited for his arrival. He was welcomed by a lengthy round of applause and after watching reels of his iconic performances at Roland Garros and giving out his speech [which was conducted in Spanish, French and English], he was honored by a silver plaque which featured his footprint.
One of the highlights of Rafael Nadal’s French Open farewell was when he paid a touching tribute to his loving wife. The couple have been together for more than 20 years and have been married for the last six years.
“I’ve lost a piece of paper I had prepared, but it’s easy to fix. Mary, you’re my best life partner. We couldn’t have imagined in 2005 that we’d be here 20 years later as a family. I hope to make you as happy as you’ve made me.” Nadal said as his wife stood among the audience holding their baby.
Who Is Rafael Nadal Wife?
Rafael Nadal wife is the beautiful Maria Francisca Perello Pascual, known to many as Mery Xisca Perello. Their love story dates back to 2005 when they started dating, the very year when Nadal announced himself at the French Open by winning the title for the first time.
Rafael Nadal and his wife. Photo/ Motorcycle Sports.
Nadal met his now lovely wife at their hometown Manacor, Mallorca through his sister. He was at the time 19 while she was 17. After being together for close to two decades, they got engaged in Rome, Italy. The two took their love life to the next stage months later when they got married in the town of Mallorca, Spain. Their wedding was held at the 17th-century Sa Fortaleza estate and attended by close to 250 guests.
Mery has a degree in business management from the University of the Balearic Islands. She graduated in 2010 and then started working at the Rafael Nadal Foundation two years later. She rose through the ranks in the foundation over the years and is now the CEO.
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The Rafael Nadal Foundation was launched in 2008 by the tennis icon and his mother Ana. The foundation, which operates in Spain and Italy, is dedicated towards helping young children unlock their potential in sports and education.
Does Nadal And Mery Have A Child?
Rafael Nadal and his family. Photo/ Tennis365.
Yes, Rafael Nadal and his loving wife have a son named Rafael Nadal Jr., who was born in October 2022. Nadal and Mery shared the news of her pregnancy in June 2022. She had complications in her final week of pregnancy and had to be hospitalized for two weeks before delivery.
Rafael Nadal Jr. was born just two weeks after Roger Federer announced his retirement after playing at the Laver Cup. Mery is currently expecting her second child who is likely to be born in the summer.
