Robert Firth
IT has only taken nearly two decades. But Rafael Nadal has finally married his childhood sweetheart.
A string of celebrities, tennis players and even Spain’s former King watched the tennis ace, 33, wed fellow Mallorcan Maria ‘Xisca’ Francisca Perello, 31 at the weekend.
Some 350 guests watched the happy couple tie the knot during a super secret service in Mallorca.
Tennis players, including Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, were among the guests at the stunning British-owned La Fortaleza villa, in Pollenca.
The former fort, owned by UK financier Lord James Lupton, has featured in several popular TV series, including the critically acclaimed The Night Manager.
The wedding dress was designed by Rosa Clara and made of French lace.
Nadal, who is battling to be ranked the world’s no.1 tennis player this year, looked dapper in a grey suit and tie.
The 19-times Grand Slam winner met his insurance broker lover 14 years ago at the age of 19.
Other guests at the exclusive nuptials, included Juan Carlos I, former king of Spain, although his great sporting rival Roger Federer was nowhere to be seen.
Federer later told reporters he ‘did not know anything about it.’
Any honeymoon the couple hope to enjoy will have to be brief. In a few weeks time Nadal is leading the Spanish team in the Davis Cup finals in Madrid.
