Rafael Nadal reveals how he protected his family from fame.

Rafael Nadal reveals the secret behind his decision to protect his family from fame: “I protected them”

Rafael Nadal, a true legend of world tennis, is not only famous for his 22 Grand Slam titles and 14 victories at Roland Garros, but also for the unprecedented way he has kept his family away from the spotlight throughout his career. Since winning his first Roland Garros tournament at the age of 19, the Spaniard has become a global icon, transcending the boundaries of sport with advertising campaigns and public appearances. However, in an exclusive interview with People Magazine, Nadal revealed the reason he has kept his wife and family shielded from fame: “I protected them.”

Nadal explained that whenever he returned to Mallorca, where he resides, his life remained normal, away from the media frenzy. “In a way, I protected them all from this world, and I think they were happier that way. Personally, I was also happier to be able to have a very private life when I was at home,” the Spanish tennis player stated. This decision has especially reflected in the figure of Maria “Xisca” Perelló, his wife and childhood companion, who has always opted for a discreet life, away from cameras and the public.

Xisca, who rarely attended her husband’s matches and avoided public exposure, justified her choice clearly and frankly: “It’s not a world I want to be in, nor do I think Rafa would have chosen to be with a woman who sought that in life.” Regarding her absence from her husband’s tours, Xisca confessed: “It would suffocate me, and then he would have to worry about me.” This discreet stance has not prevented her from being a fundamental figure in Nadal’s life, as she has been a co-founder and project director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation since 2008, focusing on social integration and education for underprivileged children.

After 14 years together, the couple formalized their union in 2019 and has two children, Rafael Jr., born in 2022, and Miquel, in 2025, the year following Nadal’s retirement from professional tennis. Now, in this new phase of life, the former tennis player is intensely dedicated to his family and his academy, cherishing simple moments like taking his children to school. “I love being a father. It’s an incredible experience, one of the best. I especially enjoy taking them to school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon,” Nadal confessed.

The premiere of the documentary series “Rafa” on Netflix, released on May 29, marks a milestone that reveals, for the first time, the man behind the legend. Produced by Skydance Sports, the four-episode series was carefully scheduled to coincide with the ongoing French Open, a tournament that Nadal dominates like no other, and just days before his 40th birthday on June 3.

The documentary does not limit itself to showcasing epic triumphs but unveils personal battles, difficult medical decisions, physical pains, and sacrifices that have shaped the Spaniard’s career. Emmy-winning director Zach Heinzerling highlighted the honesty of the series: “With Rafa’s story, triumph is expected; what surprised me was his willingness to reveal the uncertainty and vulnerability behind that greatness.”

Nadal described the series as “an intimate look at my career, with details that were previously unknown and a touch of reality about what the life of a professional tennis player is like, with various struggles against injuries.” For someone who has spent two decades shielding his family from public exposure, opening the doors in this way is a monumental shift, allowing the world to get to know the man who built his life in Mallorca, away from the flashes and fame.

This article first appeared in Apito Final.