RAFAEL NADAL’s wife, Maria Francisca Perello, commonly known as Xisco Perello, has never been one to be put in the spotlight.
While Perello is sometimes absent in the crowd, Perello is always with the Spanish icon in spirit and she would have enjoyed her husband advancing to the third round of Wimbledon.
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But who is the key to his success and what did Xisca say about his reluctant fame?
Here’s all we know about the beauty as her partner tries to win a historic 22nd Grand Slam.
Who is Xisca Perello and how old is she?
Xisca Perello – Maria Francisca Perello’s first job was as a sports marketer in London.
But she currently serves as project director for the Rafa Nadal Foundation, the charity that Nadal launched in 2008.
The couple apparently started dating in 2005, even though they had known each other a number of years before.
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When did they get married?
After dating for 17 years, it was a case of ‘finally’ when they untied the knot.
They announced their engagement in January 2019, before getting married the following October.
The couple made their vows in front of about 350 guests at La Fortaleza Castle in Mallorca, the island of his birth.
Among the guests were actors Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie.
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Does Rafael Nadal have any children?
Congratulations are in order for Rafael Nadal and his wife Xisca, as the lovebirds are apparently expecting their first child together.
Despite the removal of the Spanish icon that ensured another Roland Garros triumph, all eyes were on Perello who was spotted with a baby bump.
Nadals’ wishes will come true with the tennis legend who declared in 2017 that he would like to have children of his own one day.
He said: “I would like to have children: boys, girls … I am a person who loves children and I am a family guy.
“But I also tell you that the reality is that the years go by, I will want to start doing it all when my sporting life determines it.”
Mr Nadal added that his sports career has so far made it difficult to think about having children, and said: “I think it is above all about looking after the children.
“I do not know if it is [travelling throughout the year and having children] is ideal. ”
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Why is Xisca often absent from Nadal’s tennis matches?
In one of her only interviews, Xisca Perello revealed that she prefers not to attend most of Nadal’s tennis matches in an attempt to maintain their relationship.
She added that she was worried she would disrupt her fellow Spaniard’s focus if she appeared anyway.
In an interview with The Telegraph in 2011, Xisca explained: “He needs his space when he competes, and just the idea of me hanging around all day waiting for his needs makes me tired.
“It will suffocate me. And then he will have to worry about me … No. If I followed him everywhere, I think there’s a risk we could stop getting over it.”
However, she was a more regular visitor at the 2020 Australian Open, and has already watched Nadal’s four-set victory over Nick Kyrgios.
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Does Xisca Perello use Twitter or Instagram?
Xisca Perello has no public social media channels.
Admiring fans, however, set up social media accounts to share photos.
Xisca has previously spoken out about avoiding fame and celebrity status.
She explained: “This is not a world I want to be a part of, nor do I think Rafa would have chosen to be with a woman who sought it in life.”