WATCH: Rafael Nadal’s Reaction After His Wife Came to Watch His Match for the 1st Time

Maria Francisca Perello, the wife of Rafael Nadal, had always kept a fair distance from the tennis tour. So much so that she believed if she followed Nadal everywhere, the couple might stop getting along. However, after many years, Maria made her first appearance during the 2017 Australian Open fourth-round match. And when Jim Courier inquired about it in the post-match interview, the Spaniard came up with a hilarious response.

Notably, Nadal had defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils to qualify for the Australian Open quarters in 2017. Later on, he opened up on the presence of her long-time girlfriend then, Maria Francisca Perello, or famously known as Xisca. Nadal joked, “After ten years, finally, my girlfriend gets a wild card to come here.”

In response, the crowd and Xisca burst out in laughter. And when Courier tried to get more out from Nadal, the Spaniard backed him off. “You know, it’s better we stop here.”

Read More: Who is Rafael Nadal’s Wife Xisca Perello?

Why did Maria Francisca Perello remain absent during Rafael Nadal’s matches before?

Nadal and Xisca started dating in 2005 before tying the knot in 2019. They both have always kept their private life private and continue to do so.

Earlier, in one of her interviews, Xisca revealed why she did not attend Nadal’s matches on the Tour. She said, “He needs his space when he is competing, and just the idea of me hanging around and waiting on his needs all day tires me out.

“It would asphyxiate me. And then he would have to be worrying about me. No. If I followed him everywhere, I think there’s a risk we might stop getting along.”

But fascinatingly, things changed after the Australian Open 2017, and Xisca became a regular supporter of Nadal on the ATP Tour. In 2021, she remained present throughout the clay season, including the French Open.

Read More: What does Rafael Nadal’s Wife Xisca Perello Do? – Her Profession, Education, and Career

Lesser-known things about Rafael Nadal

Outside of tennis, Nadal is an avid Real Madrid Football Club fan and a big-time golf player. Interestingly, he plays both sports with his right side as the dominant, unlike tennis.

Moreover, the Spaniard also enjoys cooking and even has tennis academies around the world. Nadal remains passionate about the sport and enjoys private life at the side with his partner Maria.

Watch this story: Top Moments When Rafael Nadal Sent Tennis Commentators Wild