What does Rafael Nadal's sister Maribel do? All you need to know
Rafael Nadal has a sister, Maria Isabel "Maribel" Nadal, with whom he shares a close bond. In his recent retirement announcement, Rafael expressed appreciation for her. As he prepares for the next chapter of his life, here's a closer look at her journey and career.
Maribel, who is three years younger, has built a career in sports management. After studying motor and sports sciences in Barcelona, she earned a master’s in sports management from Pompeu Fabra University. Her career includes roles at Duet Sports and IMG, where she helped organize ATP Barcelona events, and a stint at Banca Santander in London.
In the mid-2010s, Maribel returned to Mallorca to join the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she currently serves as the Deputy General Manager. In 2023, she made her fashion debut with the launch of Crabs Company, a clothing line created by four people from Mallorca and inspired by their shared love for the island.
As Nadal prepares to retire after the Davis Cup Finals in November, Maribel continues to shape his legacy through her work at the Academy.
Rafael Nadal thanks his family including his sister Maribel in an emotional retirement message
On October 10, 2024, Rafael Nadal took to social media to announce that he would retire from professional tennis after representing Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in November. In his emotional message, he thanked his family and said:
"My family is everything to me. My mother, I think she has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we could always have everything. My wife, Mery – we’ve been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done. I think you’ve been the perfect travel companion during all these years of career.
To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue. My sister, I think we have always had an incredible relationship. My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis. And my father, who I believe, has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense of the word. I think he has been an example of effort."
Maribel commented on the video with several heart emojis. Nadal's final matches will be played in a Spanish jersey in November when he takes to the courts at Martin Carpena Arena in Málaga, Spain. The host country will take on the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.