The 17-year-long relationship between Raphael Nadal and Maria Francesca Perelo is one of the lowest-key and healthiest love stories in sports.
Just last month, the couple announced that their first child was about to be born. But how did their relationship begin?
The two met in Spain as teenagers. Nadal's sister Maria Isabel attended the same school as Perelo – also known as Mery or Xisca – and introduced her to Raphael.
The couple began dating in 2005, just four years after Nadal began playing professional tennis.
Little is known about Perelo. While she attends tennis tournaments to support her husband, she usually prefers to stay away from social media and keep her life private.
She told reporters: "I don't want to say too much. ”
"It worked for me, it worked for Raphael and me as a couple. We wouldn't have anything else. ”
Raphael also felt it was his responsibility to keep his personal relationships out of the spotlight, preferring to only promote his career.
"I've been exposed enough in my career," he says, "and I like to live a low-key life with people I love." ”
After Nadal won the 2020 French Open, the couple shared a kiss.
In an interview on the ATP Tour, he even said his family was more important to him than his career.
"The reality is simple: you can have all the titles you want, but if you don't have the capacity to enjoy life with the people you love, and those who love you also love you, then what's the point?"
It was revealed that the couple got engaged in May 2018. Nadal proposes to Perelo on a romantic trip to Rome. In October 2019, the two had a lavish wedding in Mallorca.
When asked in time for 2020 if Nadal is interested in becoming a father, he sounds quite excited about the prospect.
"I love children, I want to be part of the family, and at our current age, we won't wait another five years."
Sure enough, at a press conference on the eve of Wimbledon's Open, he officially announced that he and Perero were about to welcome their first child.
"If all goes well, I'm going to be a dad," he said.
"I'm not used to talking about my private life. We live more quietly in a low profile. I don't expect my life to change a lot because of this.