Rafael Nadal net worth, Real Madrid links and family life as he announces emotional retirement

Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday he will be retiring from tennis after the Davis Cup finals in Malaga which runs between November 19-24.

The 38-year-old has enjoyed a sensational career which has seen him lift 22 Grand Slam titles, including two Wimbledon championships and a record 14 French Open singles titles. Explaining the decision to retire from the sport, Nadal told his followers on social media: "The reality is that it has been a few difficult years.

"I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision.

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"One that has taken me some time to make. In this life everything has a beginning and and end and I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been much longer and much more successful than I could ever have imagined."

MEN Sport has taken a closer look at Nadal's life away from the court as the great prepares for life outside of tennis.

Family life

Nadal is married to Mery "Xisxa" Perello who he shares a two-year-old son, also called Rafael, with. The couple dated for 14 years before tying the knot in October 2019.

The Spaniard has always attempted to keep his private life separate from his career. He once told reporters: "I'm already exposed enough in my professional life.

"My loved ones and I like to live with a low profile." Perello has worked for the star's tennis academy the Rafa Nadal Foundation since April 2012 having graduated from university with a business degree.

After starting as a project manager, Perello has risen through the ranks to become the Foundation's CEO and secretary on the board of trustees. She has attended some of his matches in the past but admitted to The Telegraph in 2011 that Nadal needs his space when playing in tournaments.

Real Madrid links

Somewhat controversially, Nadal is a big supporter of La Liga giants Real Madrid. This has raised eyebrows in the past considering his uncle Miguel Angel Nadal played for their fierce rivals Barcelona.

Explaining his support for Los Blancos instead of the Catalan club, Nadal told Corriere della Sera: "My dad and all my family have always been Real Madrid fans. When my uncle played for Barcelona, they obviously encouraged him.

"Later he returned to Mallorca and since then we have been divided: Some are still Barcelona fans, others Real Madrid." Madrid hold a deep affection for Nadal which was evident in their tribute to him following his retirement.

"Rafa Nadal is also a source of pride for our country and is an example of the core values of sport, with which he has forged his entire extraordinary career," Real Madrid club president, Florentino Perez, said. While the club hailed him for his 'Madridista spirit' and 'for spreading the values of our club to all corners of the world.'

Backing F1's newest rival

Nadal has his own team in the sport of all-electric raceboats. Team Rafa competes against household names like NFL legend Tom Brady, former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, cricket icon Virat Kohli and actor Will Smith in the E1 Series.

"I always like to recall that Rafa Nadal, as soon as he signed, started a collaboration with our chief scientist officer, Carlos Duarte, to see how to make his tennis academy more sustainable," co-founder and CEO of the E1 Series Rodi Basso told the Daily Express.

"This all started from E1. A small win but an amazing narrative."

Net worth

It is unsurprising that Nadal owns an E1 team when discovering his net worth is estimated to be at £168m. This has been generated thanks partly to the prize money accumulated over the years as well as sponsorship deals with the likes of; Kia, Emporio Armani, PokerStars and luxury watchmaker Richard Mille.