Rafael Nadal confirms his wife is pregnant with their first child

• Rafael Nadal and his 33-year-old wife, Mery Perello, have announced that they are expecting their first baby
• The 36-year-old tennis pro announced the news at a press conference in Mallorca on Friday, stating that he is not used to talking about his private life
• Nadal also confirmed his intention to compete at Wimbledon in pursuit of a third consecutive Grand Slam title this season

Rafael Nadal and his wife, Mery Perello, have announced that they are expecting their first child.

The tennis star, 36, confirmed the news at a press conference in Mallorca on Friday, following earlier reports that she was pregnant.

Rafael Nadal and his wife Mery Perello. Photo: Tennis World

Later this month, Nadal, who will compete in Wimbledon for the first time after three years of absence from the tournament later this month, told reporters that if all goes well, he will be a father.

Mery was reported to be pregnant with their first child earlier this week in Spanish tabloids, as per the magazine Hola!

Nadal’s childhood sweetheart began wearing more baggy clothes and wore a face mask during the latest Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, fueling speculation that she was expecting.

They are currently relaxing off the coast of Majorca with a group of friends aboard the ‘Great White,’ a 78-foot Sunroof Power catamaran Rafael custom-built two years ago.

Mery, also referred to as Xisca, left a job in an insurance company to become project director for the Rafael Nadal Foundation, a charity he established over ten years ago.

She is well-known for being a very private person. The estate the Spanish couple chose for their wedding, La Fortaleza in north-east Majorca, is where Real Madrid star Gareth Bale married his wife Emma Rhys-Jones in June 2019 

The couple, dating for 14 years before marrying, were married in front of 350 guests at the stunning fortress owned by Conservative Party donor Lord Lupton.

The wedding was attended by Juan Carlos I, the King of Spain, from 1975 to 2014, a longtime tennis player friend.

Rafael looked classy and elegant in a navy tailored suit and white shirt for the ceremony, while Mery wore a long-sleeved white gown.

La Fortaleza, a popular A-list destination, was also the setting for the renowned BBC thriller The Night Manager, starring Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie, 

Rafael announced in January 2019 that he had proposed to his long-term girlfriend Mery after a 14-year courtship.

The Tennis star proposed to Mery in May 2018 during a romantic trip to Rome, according to Hello’s sister publication HOLA!

However, they reported that the couple chose to keep their engagement news secret for the first eight months.

Rafael Nadal intents to compete at Wimbledon despite foot ijury fears. Photo/Sky Sports

Rafael has previously stated his desire to have children, describing himself as a “family guy” looking forward to having his own kids soon.

However, the dedicated athlete admitted that his tennis career had previously made it difficult to consider starting a family.

During his press conference on Friday, Nadal also confirmed his intention to compete at Wimbledon in pursuit of a third consecutive Grand Slam title this season

The tennis player, who had just won his 22nd Grand Slam title at the French Open, looked in great shape as he returned a serve on the court.

Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and ex-coach, said last week that the Tennis great would play at Wimbledon later in the month despite his foot injury problems.

The two-time Wimbledon champion has been receiving treatment for Muller-Weiss syndrome, a chronic injury to his left foot diagnosed in 2005.

His foot numbed earlier this month to win his 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title, but he has not spoken out about retiring in case he cannot overcome his injury issues.