Mallorca — The scene couldn’t have been more intimate or more powerful. Surrounded by family, close friends, and a few trusted journalist guests, Xisca Perelló took the microphone during the dinner commemorating Rafael Nadal’s sixth wedding anniversary. What was supposed to be a brief thank-you ended up becoming a heartbreaking tribute that left everyone present—and, later, thousands of fans on social media—in tears.
“My husband brought glory to the family and the country,” Xisca began, her voice breaking. “But few know the wounds he carried since he was just a child. Few know how cruel the world can be to a 16-year-old boy who simply wanted to play tennis.”
Xisca’s words were accompanied by images projected on a large screen: never-before-seen photos of a young Rafa training in the rain, home videos of him bandaging only his ankles after an injury, or studying on airplanes in the middle of grueling tours. They were raw and real memories, far from the spotlight and glamour that normally surround the tennis idol.
Xisca revealed for the first time some of the most painful episodes from Rafa’s early years. She recounted how, at age 16, after a humiliating defeat in a junior tournament in France, Rafa received anonymous threats in his school mailbox accusing him of “having failed Spain.” It was his uncle Toni who hid those letters, fearing they would undermine his confidence.
“Rafa never knew who sent them. But he did know how to respond: training harder, crying silently, and returning to the court with more determination,” Xisca said.
For months, Rafa suffered from insomnia and anxiety, something that even his closest family didn’t fully understand at the time. “Sometimes he would lock himself in the bathroom for hours. He said he had a stomachache, but it was actually fear. Fear of disappointing.”
The story between Rafa and Xisca is known for its discretion and solidity, but the moments in which the couple’s love was a lifeline for the champion have rarely been discussed.
Xisca confessed that there was a time, after a tough defeat at Roland Garros and amid a persistent injury, when Rafa considered quitting tennis for good. It was in 2015, during a night when he broke down in tears on the balcony of his home in Manacor.
“He told me, ‘I don’t know if I can continue.’ And I replied, ‘You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, Rafa. But if you decide to fight, I’ll fight with you.’”
That moment, according to Xisca, was a turning point. Soon after, Rafa would return stronger and go on to win several titles, including his historic 14th victory at Roland Garros.
But what moved those present the most was the letter that Xisca read aloud: a letter written by a 12-year-old boy that Rafa met during a charity visit to a hospital in Madrid.
“Thanks for coming, Rafa. My body hurts, but when you smile on TV, it hurts less,” said the boy, diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Rafa maintained contact with the child for months, until his death. He never made this connection public. According to Xisca, her husband asked that the gesture remain “between the two of them.”
“That’s the man I married,” Xisca said, tears streaming down her face. “Not just the champion. But the human being who, even when the world demanded everything from him, still found room to give more.”
The video of the speech was leaked on social media hours after the event and went viral. Thousands of fans used the hashtag #GraciasRafa to share personal stories, photos with Rafa, and even open letters of gratitude.
Figures such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams publicly commented on the tribute. Federer wrote: “Rafa was always a warrior on the court, but what I admire most about him is his heart off it.”
Six years after his wedding, and after nearly two decades of a legendary career, Rafa Nadal has not only made his mark on the history of sport, but has also left an indelible mark on millions of hearts.
And as Xisca said when closing her speech:
“The world applauded his victories, but I applaud every time Rafa silently chose to be strong when no one was looking. And that… that is glory.”
