INQUISITR.COM / Sports

Rafael Nadal Turns To Girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello, After Wimbledon Pullout

By Jenny Cox
Published on: 10:30 PST, Jun 9, 2016

Rafael Nadal is experiencing a relapse into injury, which has made him pull out of the French Open and Wimbledon. But that is not letting the Spaniard sink into depression. He has turned to his gorgeous girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello, to make him feel better as he nurses his wounds.

“I’m sad to announce that after talking to my doctors, and receiving the results of my last medical revision, I won’t be able to play at Wimbledon this year,” he wrote on his Facebook post. “As you can all imagine, it’s a very tough decision, but the injury I suffered at Roland Garros needs time to heal. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join in the pre-tournament event #TheBoodles at ?#?Stokepark? that I attended in previous years. Thank you all for your support, especially my fans. Your kind messages mean so much to me.”

He made this announcement just days after he celebrated his 30th birthday with Maria Francisca Perello in his country.

“Tennis ace Rafael Nadal was taking his mind off his ailment on Saturday as he soaked up the sun in Formentera, Spain with his long-term girlfriend Xisca Perello, 28,” reports Daily Mail. “Off the court, Rafael showed off his impressive form on a yacht, celebrating his 30th birthday in style with friends, instead of aggravating his sports injury.”

His girlfriend looked radiant in a flowery bikini that showed off a model-like body that held her own against Nadal’s chiseled torso.

Back then, he didn’t seem too fussed about his injury, which he kept safe with a blue support wrap. But with him deciding to pull out of Wimbledon 2016 means that his injury is looking much more serious than it did.

“Nadal’s spokesman, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, said in statement that Nadal’s wrist would remain in a cast for two more weeks, and then he would begin anti-inflammatory treatments and physical therapy,” reports New York Times.

Good thing that he has his girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello, to turn to for help. And nothing like a good dose of Spanish sunshine to keep one in good mood.

Right before Rafael pulled out of French Open and Wimbledon 2016, he was looking like he was ready for a comeback. Even various sports publications were developing a much more positive tone towards the latter part of his career.

“We lament that his consistency has slipped,” a writer stated on Sports Illustrated. “But even that implies that he’s still capable of greatness. Even with a first round loss in Australia, he’s playing Top Five tennis in 2016. He appears to be healthy. And the next Grand Slam is one he’s claimed NINE times.”

But this also means that he gets to spend more time developing the tennis academy that he is starting with his uncle/coach, Tony Nadal.

“World no. 5 tennis star Rafael Nadal spent his first day in Manila conducting a tennis clinic for young Filipino students on Sunday, December 6 at the Colegio San Agustin in Makati City,” reports Rappler. “Nadal, 29, hosted the clinic for 60 young people together with his uncle and coach Toni to promote the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, which opens in Mallorca, Spain in May.”

Not competing in a major tournament for so long means that Rafael Nadal will slip even more in rankings. Right now, his former world number one spot is occupied with Novak Djokovic, who won this year’s French Open at Roland Garros, with Rafael Nadal slipping all the way down on number four. If he continues missing out, then he will continue to slip down.

This is unfortunate as he has steadily built his ranking by winning at Barcelona and Monte Carlo this year.

[Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images]

Share this article: Rafael Nadal Turns To Girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello, After Wimbledon Pullout
More from Inquisitr