Rafa Nadal has opened up in a telling revelation about his wife following backlash over his decision to leave her while she was in hospital last year. Nadal’s wife Xisca Perello was hospitalised in Mallorca due to complications with her pregnancy and had to be monitored by doctors.
The couple have since welcomed a healthy baby boy named Rafael Jr, with mum and bub both in Australia ahead of the first grand slam of the year in Melbourne. Nadal and Xisca endured an emotionally taxing few months before Rafa Jr’s arrival, with Nadal choosing to leave her side on a number of occasions due to tennis commitments.
The Spanish champion copped some brutal backlash from fans online after deciding to fly to America to play the US Open in September while Xisca was in hospital. He also left her side to play doubles with Roger Federer at the Laver Cup in the Swiss legend’s farewell event before retiring.
But in a recent interview, Nadal revealed that it was actually Xisca’s wishes that he played in New York and London, with his wife encouraging him to do so. “Luckily, I have a woman who is brave. And she has always helped me in everything I could and more, and she has always encouraged me to continue,” he said.
