Rafael Nadal: Girlfriend Xisca Perello appears downcast as Djokovic wins Australian Open

Novak Djokovic won his seventh Australian Open title in Melbourne to in a 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory.

During the match, Rafael Nadal’s long-term girlfriend Xisca Perello watched on in the stands.

The tennis player’s partner appeared downcast as she supported from the sidelines.

Dressed in a stunning leopard print dress, Xisca failed to smile as she watched her beau get beaten on the court.

The beauty sat in the player’s box during the men’s singles final alongside Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya.

After losing out on the Australian Open final, Nadal spoke out about a “tough” year.

“I have been going through tough times over the past year,” he said.

“I only played in nine events and had to retire from two, and I was not able to play professional match since the US Open.”

The Spanish sportsman cut short his 2018 season due to an abdominal muscle problem and had ankle surgery.

“Even though tonight was not my night, it was very important for me in coming back from injury,” he said.

“I believe I played a good two weeks of tennis and it is a great energy and inspiration for what is coming.

“I will keep fighting and keep practising to give myself better chances in the future.”

Nadal has been dating Xisca, who was born María Francisca Perello, for 13 years.

The 30-year-old business graduate works as a director of the Rafael Nadal Foundation, the tennis player’s charity which uses the sport as a way to help vulnerable children around the world.

The beauty had been supporting Nadal throughout the Australian Open and was seen cheering on her beau at the men’s singles semi-finals on Thursday.

After the game, Nadal spoke about his girlfriend and called her a “wildcard” when he was asked what the couple like to get up to Down Under when he is not on the tennis court.

According to News.com, Jim Courier, an American broadcaster and former world number one tennis champion, asked Rafael how Xisca was doing and what the two may be getting up to while in Australia.

Jim said to the tennis player: “Maria, she’s back in Australia this year.

“I’m wondering what do you guys like to do when you’re not working here in Australia when you have a bit of time?”

To which Nadal replied: “As I said to you a couple of years ago in 2017, I think it was the first time she was able to be here, that she had received a wildcard in that moment and now after 14 years together she doesn’t need wildcards.

“She comes wherever she wants.”

source: express.co.uk