Rafael Nadal's father-in-law passes away from long-term illness
Rafael Nadal and his family members have been hit with bad news this week as Miguel Perello, the father of Nadal's wife Maria Francisca Perello, has passed away. As first reported by Spanish publication Ultima Hora, the 63-year-old Perello breathed his last after suffering from a long-term illness.
Miguel Perello was a highly-respected businessman in Manacor, where the Nadal family also resides. He preferred to stay away from the limelight despite being well-known due to his relationship with Rafael Nadal.
The unfortunate personal development comes as an added blow to Nadal, who on Thursday revealed that his hip injury is worse than what was originally thought. The 36-year-old has withdrawn from next week's Madrid Open, and his participation in the Italian Open and French Open is also in doubt.
Nadal recently started a new course of treatment, for which he has halted his training.
"The injury is still unhealed and I can't work what I need to to compete. I was training, but now a few days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try and get to what comes. I can’t give deadlines because if I knew I would tell y’all but idk. This is the current situation," Nadal wrote in a statement on Instagram.
The 22-time Slam champion has, however, been spending quality time with his six-month-old son Rafael.
"He still has the mind to try to win another time" - Toni Nadal on nephew Rafael's French Open hopes
Rafael Nadal's former coach and uncle, Toni, recently conveyed that the 14-time Grand Slam champion would only return when he felt 100% fit, unlike his Australian Open campaign where he played at well below his full capacity. According to Toni, the Spanish tennis star wants to feel confident and not at all worried about his fitness ahead of the French Open.
The 62-year-old further stated that he feels his nephew still has a strong desire to win the French Open.
“I spoke with him on Saturday. And he will only come back if he is in good condition, 100%. He knows that otherwise it will not be good for him. He played the Australian Open without being on top. I think he wants to feel very good. He would like to arrive at Roland‐Garros with confidence and a good physique. For now, we have to wait. But he still has the mind to try to win another time,” Toni said on RMC's Bartoli Time.
Rafael Nadal's last tour-level title was at the 2022 French Open.