RAFAEL NADAL’s wife Xisco Perello has never been one to hog the limelight, but now she’s firmly in it after giving birth to her first child.
Perello and Nadal welcomed their first child, a boy, to the world early on Saturday afternoon.
Rafael Nadal and Xisca Perello tied the knot in a castle in Majorca after dating for 14 years
Perello is rarely seen in public or at Nadal’s games.
But who is the key to his success and what has Xisca said about her reluctant fame?
Here is all we know on the beauty.
Who is Xisca Perello and how old is she?
Xisca Perello – born Maria Francisca Perello’s first job was a sports marketer in London.
But she currently serves as project director for the Rafa Nadal Foundation, the charity which Nadal launched in 2008.
The pair reportedly started dating in 2005 despite having known each other for a number of years before.
Xisca Perello supporting Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Madrid Masters
The couple have been dating since 2005
When did they get married?
Having dated for 17 years, it was a case of ‘finally’ when they tied the knot.
They announced their engagement in January 2019, before getting married the following October.
The couple said their vows in front of around 350 guests at the La Fortaleza castle in Majorca, the island of his birth.
Among the invitees were actors Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie.
Xisca Perello supports Nadal at the Wimbledon 2019 semi-final
Does Rafael Nadal have any children?
Congratulations are in order for Rafael Nadal and his wife Xisca as the lovebirds finally welcomed their first child, a boy, to the world.
A source told Diario de Mallorca: “Both the mum and her baby, born in the 37th week of her pregnancy, are doing well.
“The birth took place in a private clinic on the island where Mery had to remain under observation and rest completely in the last few weeks.”
Xisca Perello in the stands at Wimbledon watching her partner Rafa Nadal
Why is Xisca often absent from Nadal’s tennis matches?
In one of her only interviews, Xisca Perello revealed that she chooses not to attend most of Nadal’s tennis matches in a bid to preserve their relationship.
She added that she is concerned she would disrupt her fellow Spaniard’s focus if she appeared at all events.
In an interview with The Telegraph in 2011, Xisca explained: “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.”
However, she was a more frequent visitor at the 2020 Australian Open, and watched all of Nadal’s four-set win over Nick Kyrgios.
Xisca Perello is not frequently seen supporting Nadal at his matches
Does Xisca Perello use Twitter or Instagram?
Xisca Perello doesn’t have any public social media channels.
However, admiring fans have set up social media accounts to share pictures.
Xisca has previously spoken out about avoiding fame and celebrity status.
She explained: “It’s not a world I want to be part of, nor do I think Rafa would have chosen to be with a woman who looked for that in life.”
