the most emotional moment of his announcement, when he spoke like never before about his wife, his son and his family

Rafael Nadal announced this morning his retirement from tennis after the finals of the Davis Cup which will be held in November in Malaga, in the south of Spain. The 38-year-old tennis player won 22 Grand Slam tournaments during an era without origins that he shared with his rivals Roger Federer y Novak Djokovicnicknamed for all time as the Big Three or the Big Three.

“Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true,” Nadal said in a video posted on social networks. “I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my all, of having made an effort in every way.”

In the video, which included a review of his career, the Mallorcan indicated that his decision was due to his persistent injury problems. “The reality is that they have been difficult years, these last two especially. I think I have not been able to play without limitations. It is a decision that is obviously difficult, it has taken me time to make it, but in this life everything has a beginning and an end,” said Nadal.

Rafael Nadal, in the final stretch of his career. EFE/ Mark Lyons

Nadal’s relentless and physical style of play (which sees him chase every point as if it were his last, sprinting and sliding to deliver a whip with his left-handed forehand) made him one of the greats of tennis and the undisputed king of the dust. of brick, the slow red surface on which he conquered a Roland Garros record.

There are more titles than anyone, man or woman, has ever won in any of the four majors, a domain recognized with a statue that stands near the main entrance to the venue where the Paris Open is held, in the shadow of its main stadium, the Philippe Chatrier track.

“I am very excited that my last tournament is the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” said Rafa. “It is closing the circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the final (of the Davis Cup). ) of Seville in 2004”.

Nadal has not competed since the Paris Olympics, where he lost to an old acquaintance, Djokovic, in the second round of the singles tournament and reached the quarterfinals in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.

“I think it’s the right time to put an end to what has been a long career and much more successful than I could have ever imagined,” said an emotional Nadal.

Rafa and his words for his wife, his son and his entire family

The video shared by Rafa was an announcement but also a great message of gratitude “to the entire tennis industry” and to the fans of the sport that made him famous worldwide, but especially to his loved ones, his family and his work team. .

It was when talking about his wife María Francisca Perelló when the Mallorcan showed his most human side, on the verge of tears and feeling every word. They have been together for almost 20 years and got married in 2019: in October 2022, their only son, Rafa, was born, who has the same name as dad.

Rafa Nadal with Mery Perelló, his wife and mother of his son, throughout his career.

“My wife, Mery, we have been together for 19 years… Thank you for everything you have done,” says a broken Rafa, looking at the camera and with different photos of the couple giving his words even greater feeling. “I think you have been a perfect travel companion during all these years of my career. Coming home and seeing how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the energy necessary to continue,” he closes his Nadal message, and then swallows hard to hold back tears.

Rafa Nadal celebrating his first Grand Slam in Paris with his mother, Ana María Parera.Rafa Nadal celebrating his first Grand Slam in Paris with his mother, Ana María Parera.

Rafa also stops to talk about his mother, Ana Maria Pareraof whom he says that “he has made all the sacrifices he had to make so that we would always have everything.”

Rafa's parents, following their son from the beginning to the end of his tennis career.Rafa’s parents, following their son from the beginning to the end of his tennis career.

“We have always had an incredible relationship,” says Nadal about Maria Isabelhis sister. And to his uncle and coach, Toni Nadalfor being “the reason why he started playing tennis”, in addition to helping him “overcome many situations that have been difficult” in his sports career.

Rafa Nadal with his uncle Toni, who was his coach from the beginning of his career until 2017.Rafa Nadal with his uncle Toni, who was his coach from the beginning of his career until 2017.

About the end he also talks about Sebastian Nadalhis father, “who was a source of inspiration” for Rafa, “who has been an example of effort, of improvement.” And he adds: “Many, many (sic) thanks to my father in a very, very (sic) special way.” Rafa says the rest with his teary eyes.

Rafa Nadal's father, Sebastián.Rafa Nadal’s father, Sebastián.

The love story of Rafa and María Francisca Perelló

Nadal and his wife met during their adolescence. Both natives of Mallorca, they began their relationship almost 20 years ago, and their story is, to say the least, particular.

Rafa and Mery’s first acquaintance was thanks to Maribel, Rafa’s sister, who went to Pureza de María school in Manacor, where she became very close to María Francisca.

Since then, the future champion of everything that came his way in the world of tennis, began to become closer and closer to his younger sister’s friend. When were they shown together for the first time? In 2005, which would become the backyard of Rafa Sí’s house, that year Nadal won the first of his 13 Roland Garros titles. And, from that moment on, beyond never abandoning a low profile, they became inseparable companions.

Rafa Nadal with Mery Perelló, his wife and mother of his son.Rafa Nadal with Mery Perelló, his wife and mother of his son.

Both are natives of Manacor, a small city located in Mallorca, and likewise, their families were always quite influential in the area. Rafa, son of Sebastián Nadal, a successful businessman, and María Parera, a housewife. Maria Francisca, or Chiscadaughter of the builder Bernat Perelló and María Pascual, a City Council worker.

Although María was always very close to Rafa, she herself stated in the book Rafa: My Story, that the key to such a lasting relationship was her independence. “Traveling everywhere together would not be good for him or me. If I followed him everywhere, I think there would be a danger that we would stop getting along as well.”

And this low profile is, practically, the main characteristic of Xisca, which does not have any public social network. Furthermore, very little is known about the private life of the Mallorcan woman, and it was barely announced that she studied Administration and Management at the University of the Balearic Islands, and that she is in charge of the Rafa Nadal Foundation.

The Rafa Nadal Foundation was created in 2008, by Rafa and his mother Ana María. It was born with the objective of transforming through sports and education, in addition to promoting inclusion and diversity. María Francisca is a member of the Foundation’s board of trustees, where she holds the role of Secretary. While in the executive team, she serves as Director.

Your intimate wedding in 2019

After 14 years of dating, in which they were seen together in just a handful of the most notable moments of Rafa’s career, the couple decided to get married in 2019. The ceremony only took place around the month of October, but the proposal would have emerged in May 2018, in Rome.

Nadal had just won the tournament in the Italian capital for the eighth time, and had managed to rise again to the top of the ATP rankings, so it was a perfect context to propose to his lifelong girlfriend. The wedding took place in Sa Fortalesa, a building located on a peninsula over the Bay of Pollença, and was not attended by any type of press.

In fact, the photographs of that celebration were made known by Nadal himself, through his Foundation’s social networks. At the ceremony, several tennis players such as Feliciano López, David Ferrer, and Juan ‘Pico’ Mónaco, among others, were present. A few years later, Rafa Jr., his only son, arrived, the beginning of a new and happy story for the tennis player who won the heart of the world.

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