Rafael Nadal’s wife is María Francisca Perelló, widely known as Xisca Perelló and affectionately called Mery by her family. The Spanish tennis legend and his longtime partner have been together since 2005 and married in October 2019 after approximately 14 years of dating. They now have two sons, Rafael Jr. and Miquel, and have built a largely private family life in Mallorca, Spain.
While Nadal became one of tennis’s greatest champions, Mery developed her own professional career and became closely involved with the Rafa Nadal Foundation. Their relationship has lasted through major sporting victories, injuries, retirement, and the arrival of their children.
Who Is Rafael Nadal’s Wife?
María Francisca Perelló is a Spanish business professional and philanthropist best known as Rafael Nadal’s wife.
She was born and raised in Mallorca, the Mediterranean island where Nadal also grew up.
Although international media frequently call her Xisca, she is also known as Mery among those close to her.
Unlike many spouses of internationally famous athletes, Perelló has generally avoided celebrity publicity.
She rarely gives interviews about her marriage and prefers to maintain a clear distinction between her personal life and Nadal’s public career.
Her professional work has focused primarily on business administration and charitable initiatives.
How Did They Meet?
Rafael Nadal and Mery Perelló knew each other long before he became a global tennis superstar.
Their connection began through Nadal’s younger sister, María Isabel, commonly known as Maribel.
Mery and Maribel were childhood friends, which helped bring Mery into Nadal’s social circle.
Both grew up in Manacor, Mallorca, and shared connections within their hometown community.
Their friendship eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
The couple began dating in 2005, when Nadal was 19 and emerging as one of the world’s most exciting young tennis players.
That year, he won his first French Open title, beginning a remarkable period of success.
Their Love Story
Nadal and Perelló’s relationship developed alongside his increasingly demanding tennis career.
As Nadal traveled internationally for tournaments, Mery continued pursuing her education and professional interests.
The couple maintained a relatively private relationship despite his growing fame.
They dated for approximately 14 years before getting married.
Throughout those years, Mery occasionally attended major tennis events but did not accompany Nadal to every tournament.
Their approach allowed both partners to maintain professional responsibilities and personal independence.
Nadal has publicly acknowledged the importance of his wife’s support throughout his career.
When Did They Marry?
Rafael Nadal married María Francisca Perelló on October 19, 2019, in Mallorca, Spain.
The wedding took place at La Fortaleza, a historic coastal property on the island.
The ceremony followed more than a decade of dating.
Family members, close friends, and several notable figures from the sporting world attended the celebration.
Despite Nadal’s international fame, the couple maintained considerable privacy around the event.
Their wedding reflected their longstanding connection to Mallorca, where both had grown up and established their family roots.
Do They Have Children?
Rafael Nadal and Mery Perelló have two sons.
Their first child, Rafael Nadal Perelló, often called Rafael Jr., was born on October 8, 2022.
The couple welcomed their second son, Miquel, in August 2025.
The arrival of their children marked an important new chapter in Nadal’s life.
He became a father while still competing professionally and welcomed his second son after retiring from top-level tennis.
The family has generally avoided sharing extensive personal details about the children.
Both parents have prioritized protecting their sons’ privacy despite public interest in their lives.
Who Is Rafael Jr.?
Rafael Jr. is Nadal and Perelló’s eldest son, born on October 8, 2022.
He turned four in October 2026.
His birth came during the later stages of Nadal’s professional tennis career, when the champion was managing injuries while continuing to compete.
Nadal has occasionally discussed how becoming a father changed his daily priorities.
He has also been seen enjoying family moments during sporting events and public appearances.
However, the couple have avoided turning their son’s childhood into a regular feature of celebrity media.
Who Is Miquel?
Miquel is Rafael Nadal and Mery Perelló’s second son, born in August 2025.
He turned one in August 2026.
His arrival came after Nadal’s retirement from professional tennis in November 2024.
This meant Nadal could experience the early months of his second child’s life without the same demanding tournament schedule that defined much of his career.
The couple have kept details about Miquel’s everyday life private.
His birth expanded the Nadal family to four members and brought renewed attention to the tennis legend’s life after retirement.
Life After Tennis
Nadal officially retired from professional tennis following Spain’s Davis Cup campaign in November 2024.
His retirement ended a career that included 22 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 French Open championships.
Since stepping away from competition, Nadal has been able to devote more time to his wife and children.
He has spoken about appreciating ordinary family routines that were difficult to maintain during his years of international travel.
These include spending time at home and participating in everyday parenting responsibilities.
Fatherhood has become an important part of Nadal’s post-retirement life, alongside his business and charitable commitments.
Mery’s Education
María Francisca Perelló has an academic background in business.
She studied Business Administration and Management at the University of the Balearic Islands.
Her education helped prepare her for professional roles outside the entertainment and sports industries.
Rather than relying on her husband’s public profile, she developed interests in business operations and organizational management.
Her qualifications later became relevant to her involvement with the Rafa Nadal Foundation.
Mery’s career demonstrates that she has maintained her own professional identity throughout their relationship.
Her Foundation Work
Mery Perelló serves as Director of Strategy and Relations for the Rafa Nadal Foundation.
The organization supports educational opportunities and social inclusion for children and young people.
Its initiatives aim to help vulnerable communities through education, sport, and personal development.
Mery’s responsibilities involve supporting the foundation’s strategic relationships and charitable activities.
Her role has allowed her to contribute directly to projects associated with Nadal’s wider social impact.
While Nadal’s tennis achievements made the foundation internationally recognizable, Mery has been involved in helping develop its organizational work.
Their Royal Titles
An unusual development in the couple’s public life occurred in June 2025.
King Felipe VI of Spain granted Rafael Nadal the hereditary title of Marquess of Llevant de Mallorca.
The recognition acknowledged Nadal’s achievements and contribution to Spanish sport.
As his wife, Mery became associated with the corresponding title of Marchioness of Llevant de Mallorca.
The honor added a new distinction to Nadal’s already celebrated career.
However, the couple have continued maintaining a comparatively low-profile family lifestyle despite their international recognition.
Why She Stays Private
Mery has never appeared particularly interested in becoming a celebrity through her marriage.
She has preferred to concentrate on her professional responsibilities, charitable work, and family.
Although she has supported Nadal at important tournaments, she has not regularly participated in publicity campaigns about their relationship.
Their decision to maintain privacy has been a consistent feature of their marriage.
This approach has also extended to their two young sons.
The couple occasionally share selected family moments but avoid disclosing unnecessary personal information.
Latest Family Update
As of October 2026, Rafael Nadal and María Francisca Perelló have been married for seven years and have two sons, Rafael Jr. and Miquel.
Their relationship began in 2005, and they married in Mallorca in October 2019.
Mery continues to be associated with the Rafa Nadal Foundation, while Nadal has increasingly focused on family life following his retirement from professional tennis.
The couple also received additional public recognition after Nadal was granted a hereditary Spanish noble title in 2025.
For readers searching “Rafael Nadal wife,” the answer is María Francisca “Mery” Perelló, his longtime partner, wife since 2019, and mother of his two children.
