"I guess a lot of girls will be upset to know the truth" - When Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni revealed the Spaniard was dating Maria Francisco Perello

Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest players in tennis history, having won 22 Major titles. His down-to-earth persona off the court, however, has always been in direct contrast to his on-court intensity, and an account by Nadal's coach and uncle Toni from years ago offers further proof of that.

Nadal, who turned pro in 2003, has been at the top of the tennis world for virtually his entire career. He won his maiden Major title at the 2005 French Open and went on to become the top-ranked player on the men's tour in 2008.

The Spaniard kept his personal life under the wraps around that time, in a bid to not attract unwanted attention. The fact that he was dating Maria Francisca 'Xisca' Perello, who is now his wife, was a closely guarded secret.

It was in 2008 that his coach and uncle Toni first revealed to Daily Mail that the Spaniard had a love interest. He even claimed that Perello had a "no-nonsense" demeanor, which matched up well with his nephew's humble personality.

"I guess a lot of girls will be upset to know the truth," he said. "My nephew always maintained he was single. It was a well-kept secret but actually, his girlfriend is waiting for him in Majorca."

"She is a straightforward, no-nonsense girl not interested in glamour and fame," Toni added. "You won’t see her rolling out of a nightclub or laden down with designer bags after a shopping spree."

Rafael Nadal's friend Pedro Hernandez, meanwhile, said the Spanish bull didn't want his girlfriend to find herself at the center of media attention over their relationship.

"They are not at all interested in a celebrity lifestyle. They get together when the tournaments are over. That’s how Rafa winds down," he said.

Who is Rafael Nadal's wife Maria Francisca Perello?

Maria Francisca "Xisca" Perello pictured at the 2020 Australian Open

Rafael Nadal and Maria Francisca 'Xisca' Perello knew each other from their teenage years in Mallorca. They reportedly began dating in 2005 but made their relationship public only a few years later.

Perello, on her part, went to the University of Balearic Islands and took her first job as a sports marketer in London, UK. She began making sporadic appearances in her boyfriend's matches on the ATP tour soon after. Currently, Perello serves as project director for the Rafa Nadal Foundation - a charity that the Spaniard started in 2008.

In 2019, the couple finally got married in their hometown after years of dating. They also welcomed a baby boy last October, who is named Rafa as well.