Rafael Nadal has spent two decades as one of the most visible athletes on the planet, yet his wife Mery Perelló has remained a deliberate mystery. They met in their hometown of Mallorca when both were 19, a relationship that has endured over 20 years, according to Town & Country Magazine (leading lifestyle publication).

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Years together: over 20 (since 2005) ·
Children: 2: Rafael Jr. (2022) and Miquel (2024) ·
Age when met: 19 ·
Diagnosed with: Müller-Weiss syndrome

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • The exact date of their first meeting beyond the year 2005 (Us Weekly)
  • Future health implications of Nadal’s foot condition (Us Weekly)
3Timeline signal
  • 2005: start dating · 2019: wedding · 2022: first child · 2024: second child (Us Weekly)
4What’s next
  • Nadal’s post-retirement focus shifting to family and foundation work (Town & Country Magazine)

Six facts that define Mery Perelló, the woman who has been by Nadal’s side for two decades.

Label Value
Full Name María Francisca Perelló Pou
Known As Mery or Xisca
Occupation Director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation
Met Nadal 2005, age 19
Married 2019
Children 2 sons: Rafael Jr. (2022), Miquel (2024)

Is Rafael Nadal still with his wife?

Yes—by every available account, Rafael Nadal and Mery Perelló remain together as of 2025. The couple, who began dating in 2005, married in October 2019 at La Fortaleza in Mallorca, a ceremony with more than 350 guests including former King Juan Carlos I, according to Town & Country Magazine (leading lifestyle publication). Public sightings are rare, but in early 2025, Nadal shared a rare family photograph that confirmed the family unit is intact, as reported by Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet).

Why this matters

Nadal’s deliberate privacy means that every rare appearance—a beach photo, a foundation event—becomes a public signal. The pattern: they are still together, raising two young sons, and maintaining the low profile Nadal has always insisted on.

The implication: despite the relentless media interest, the couple has managed to keep their marriage intact and out of tabloid headlines, a rare feat for a global sports icon.

How many children does Rafa Nadal have?

Nadal and Perelló have two sons. Their first child, Rafael Nadal Jr., was born in October 2022, announced by Nadal in a terse statement that made clear he would not discuss details, per Us Weekly. The second son, Miquel, arrived in 2024. Both children were born in Mallorca, where the family resides. The couple has not released any public photographs of the children, consistent with their privacy approach.

Nadal is a father of two before the age of 40, and his family life has become a central anchor as his professional tennis career winds down.
  • Rafael Jr. – born October 2022 (Town & Country Magazine)
  • Miquel – born 2024 (Us Weekly)

What is Nadal diagnosed with?

Nadal has Müller-Weiss syndrome, a chronic degenerative condition of the scaphoid bone in the foot. The condition causes persistent pain and has forced him to manage his training and match load for years, ultimately contributing to his decision to retire. The diagnosis has been confirmed in multiple media reports, including coverage by Town & Country Magazine. While the exact severity remains a private medical detail, Nadal has spoken about the daily challenges and the treatments he has undergone.

The catch

Müller-Weiss syndrome has no cure. For Nadal, it means a lifetime of pain management—a stark contrast to the effortless dominance he displayed on court. The condition effectively ended his career earlier than he might have chosen.

What this means: Nadal’s health battle has been as defining as his triumphs, and his ability to continue playing at an elite level for years despite the condition is a testament to his resilience and medical team.

Timeline: Nadal and Perelló’s relationship

Year Event
2005 Nadal and Perelló meet in Mallorca, both age 19 (Town & Country Magazine)
2019 Married in private ceremony in Mallorca; Roger Federer not invited (Us Weekly)
2022 First child, Rafael Jr., born (Town & Country Magazine)
2024 Second child, Miquel, born (Us Weekly)
2025 Nadal shares rare family moments, confirming ongoing relationship (Us Weekly)

The implication: the timeline shows a couple that has moved steadily through life stages despite Nadal’s grueling tennis schedule.

Confirmed facts

  • Nadal and Perelló are still together as of 2025.
  • They have two children: Rafael Jr. and Miquel.
  • Nadal has Müller-Weiss syndrome.
  • Perelló is the director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation.

What remains unclear

  • Exact date of first meeting beyond 2005.
  • Future health implications of Nadal’s foot condition.

Quotes about the couple

“I have always tried to keep my private life out of the spotlight. What matters to me is my family and my health.” — Rafael Nadal, as reported by Us Weekly

“Mery Perelló has been by Nadal’s side since they were teenagers—a constant presence that rarely appears in the public eye.” — Town & Country Magazine (source)

As Nadal steps away from professional tennis, the space he has fought to keep private becomes his new center court. For Mery Perelló and their two young sons, that deliberate low profile is no longer a shield—it’s the foundation of their life together.

Additional sources

theknot.com

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Frequently asked questions

What does Mery Perelló do for a living?

She is the director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, overseeing charitable initiatives in education and social integration.

How long have Rafael Nadal and his wife been together?

They began dating in 2005, meaning they have been together for over 20 years as of 2025.

Did Rafael Nadal get married in 2019?

Yes, they married on October 19, 2019, in a private ceremony in Mallorca.

What is the name of Nadal’s wife?

María Francisca Perelló Pou, known as Mery or Xisca.

Where do Rafael Nadal and his family live?

They reside in Mallorca, Spain, near Nadal’s hometown.

Does Rafael Nadal have a chronic foot condition?

Yes, he has Müller-Weiss syndrome, a degenerative condition of the foot.

What are the names of Rafael Nadal’s children?

Rafael Jr. (born 2022) and Miquel (born 2024).

Has Rafael Nadal’s wife had any recent health issues?

There are no public reports of significant health issues; Perelló maintains a low profile.

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