Who Is Rafael Nadal’s Wife? Get to Know His High School Sweetheart
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If you’re a tennis aficionado, you may be curious to know more about Rafael Nadal’s wife, Maria ‘Xisca’ Perelló. As a notoriously private pair, this couple has kept their personal lives under wraps for years. But from what they’ve shared, it’s clear that these two share a bond that started long before Nadal’s rise to tennis stardom.
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For those unfamiliar with the tennis world, Rafael Nadal is one of its biggest stars and is known for his unparalleled skills on the court. With over 20 Grand Slam titles under his belt, including a record-breaking number of French Open victories, Nadal has solidified his place in tennis history. His many achievements have earned him legions of fans around the globe—so it’s no surprise that people are curious to know more about his private life.
Despite his rise to fame, Rafael Nadal’s wife has managed to keep a low profile throughout their marriage. And the same could be said for them as a couple, as they continue to keep their relationship largely out of the spotlight and prefer to lead a private life away from the glare of the media. We do know, however, that their love story traces all the way back to their high school days in their hometown of Mallorca, Spain. And after over 14 years of dating, Rafael and Xisca tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Mallorca in October 2019, where they were surrounded by their closest friends and family.
But who is Mery ‘Xisca’ Perelló, the woman who has captured the heart of one of tennis’s greatest champions? Let’s take a closer look at Rafael Nadal’s wife and find out what makes their relationship so special.
Who’s Rafael Nadal’s Wife?
Rafael Nadal’s wife, Maria Francisca Perelló—who also goes by Xisca—grew up alongside her husband in Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. She studied at the University of the Balearic Islands, where she pursued a degree in business management from 2006 to 2010. Later, she continued her studies at ESADE in Barcelona for post-graduate studies.
Since April 2012, Perelló has been deeply involved with the Rafa Nadal Foundation, initially serving as a project manager before ascending to the CEO role in November 2019. Alongside her role as CEO, she also serves as a secretary on the board of trustees. The foundation, launched in 2008 by Nadal and his mother, Ana Maria Parera, operates in Spain and India, aiming to empower children through the combined forces of sports and education.
Despite her occasional appearances supporting her husband at tennis matches around the world, Perelló has often chosen to maintain a low profile during his tournaments. In a 2011 interview with The Telegraph, she explained her decision, saying, “He needs his space when he is competing, and just the idea of me hanging around and waiting on his needs all day tires me out. It would asphyxiate me. And then he would have to be worrying about me … No. If I followed him everywhere, I think there’s a risk we might stop getting along.”
How did Rafael Nadal and his wife meet?
Rafael Nadal’s wife was reportedly only 14 years old when she met the future tennis star. Her best friend at the time happened to be Nadal’s sister, who eventually introduced Perelló to her older brother, who was 17 at the time. Within two years, sparks started to fly between Nadal and Perelló, and the pair became a couple.
In 2021, Perelló shed light on their relationship during an interview on 60 Minutes. Reflecting on their journey, Nadal revealed that he proposed to Perelló while they were vacationing in Rome in May 2018—nearly a year and half before they exchanged vows at the altar.
However, Nadal’s proposal didn’t involve the traditional down-on-one-knee gesture. “When you’ve been together for 15 years, you don’t really need to talk it through much,” he explained. “It was just a case of, ‘so, are we going to get married at some point?’ And ‘yes, I guess so.’”
Their wedding, held in October 2019 in Mallorca, Spain, was an intimate affair surrounded by close friends and family. Perelló wore a gown designed by Rosa Clara. On her Instagram account, Clara gushed about her experience designing the dress in time for the couple’s nuptials. “The whole process was full of emotions between all of us,” Clara wrote on Instagram. “We just want to thank the whole family for trusting in us, you’re extraordinary.”
How many kids does Rafael Nadal have with his wife?
As of 2024, Rafael Nadal and his wife have one child together. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy, in October 2022 in their hometown of Mallorca. Their bundle of joy arrived just two weeks after Nadal’s emotional final match with his longtime friend and rival, Roger Federer.
Nadal made the announcement that he and Perelló were expecting their first child in June 2022. “If all goes well, I’m going to be a father,” Nadal revealed during a press conference in Mallorca at the time. “I don’t know what will change in my life because I don’t have experience, but I don’t think it will change my professional life,” he added.
While Rafael Nadal’s wife did not publicly discuss her pregnancy, Nadal had previously opened up about his desire to start a family of his own one day. Speaking to HELLO, he shared, “Obviously, I have the intention of forming a family. I love children and I would like my children to do what they like.”
The tennis superstar also acknowledged the reality of balancing fatherhood with his tennis career during an interview with The Sun, where he also discussed his hopes for the future “I would love to have children: boys, girls,” he told the outlet. “I’m a person who loves kids and I’m a family guy. He went on to add, “But also, I tell you that the reality is, the years keep passing, I would like to start to do all of this when my sporting life determines it.”
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