Rafael Nadal’s wife Maria Francisca Perello was spotted in floods of tears during his shock Australian Open defeat as he limped through injury before losing in straight sets
Maria Francisca Perello was in floods of tears as husband Rafael Nadal struggled
Maria Francisca Perello was in floods of tears as husband Rafael Nadal struggled (Image: Eurosport)
Maria Francisca Perello was left drying her tears with a tissue during a medical time-out for husband Rafael Nadal as he battled through injury before crashing out of the Australian Open.
World ranked No.65 Mackenzie McDonald won 6-4 6-4 7-5 against the 36-year-old and later admitted that it wasn’t the way he would’ve liked to have won against the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
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With Nadal looking to suffer a painful leg injury twice during the match, his family were spotted looking devastated as he got medical attention – including wife Maria.
READ MORE: Injured Rafael Nadal winces as he crashes out of Australian Open in straight sets
Maria, who has kept out the limelight for much of Nadal’s career, tied the knot with the tennis icon in October of 2019 having been in a relationship since 2005.
The couple welcomed their first child back in 2022, a son named after his father, with Maria often seen supporting her husband – but not often so emotional.
Her mood was reflected by fans of Nadal who struggled to see him in pain, limping through the fifth set as many worried over his future in the sport.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal waits for physiotherapist during his men’s singles match against Mackenzie McDonald of the US on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18, 2023
Rafael Nadal will not defend his Australian Open title after a second round defeat (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Rafael NADAL of Spain poses with his wife Xisca PERELLO after a photoshoot for his 14th victory at Roland Garros on June 6, 2022 at Alexandre III bridge in Paris, France
Maria Francisca Perello married Rafael Nadal in 2019 after 14 years together (Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
One social media user said: “Absolutely brutal showing footage of Rafael Nadal’s team in tears during the match…”
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A second added: “Nadal takes a medical timeout. His wife is in tears. Ah. Hurting for Rafa.”
A third continued: “Win or lose. Always a pleasure. Always with him. Fighting is in his DNA. Not giving up is in his DNA.”
Should he choose to retire, Nadal will be able to fall back on the £109million he has picked up through his career – and will no doubt have the full support of Maria.