Tennis star Rafael Nadal, 32, said he believed he would have had a family of his own by now but is waiting for the right “situation”. According to Essentially Sports online, he said: “I have a girlfriend too and I am not alone to take decisions.(sic) “You have to suit situations you know”, he continued. “Having family? I don’t know, things are not easy to be predicted.” He added: “At this age, I thought that I would have already been a former player and that I would have started a family.”
The Spanish star has been in a relationship with Xisca Perello, 30, since 2005.
The latter reportedly works in the insurance sector and also as the project director of his Rafael Nadal Foundation.
Rafael went on to say he thought he would’ve retired from tennis at the age of 30.
He went on to say: “As a young guy, I thought that at 30 I would already have retired and instead I am still here.
“The only thing I know is that I will have a family. I will not definitely be alone.”
Rafael’s girlfriend previously revealed why she doesn’t always attend his matches.
Back in 2011, she told The Telegraph: “He needs his space when he is competing, and just the idea of me hanging around and waiting on his needs all day tires me out.
“It would asphyxiate me. And then he would have to be worrying about me.
“If I followed him everywhere, I think there’s a risk we might stop getting along.”
The brunette beauty also doesn’t have any of her own social media accounts.
She said: “It’s not a world I want to be part of, nor do I think Rafa would have chosen to be with a woman who looked for that in life.”
Tomorrow, the 17-time champion will play against Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson in his semi-final showdown held in Abu Dhabi.
If he wins against the latter, he could possibly go head-to-head with his rival Novak Djokovic on Saturday.
Speaking of his time at the championship, he told National Sport: “Abu Dhabi is one of my favourite places to play, the climate, atmosphere and enthusiasm from the crowds at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship provides the perfect start to the new season.
“The tournament brings together players at the top of their game; we all relish playing in these extremely competitive matches.”
Back in November Rafael had surgery following a right knee injury.
But despite this, the champion said he is eager to be fit for the The Australian Open in January.
He told Associated Press: “I started about two weeks ago and I am taking small steps forward.
“I am just making sure I am moving forward and it’s not a step backwards. I know I have time to be ready for Melbourne at 100 per cent.”