Often referred to as Rafa, Rafael Nadal's dominance at Roland Garros, with 14 titles, showcases his mastery on clay courts. Born on June 3, 1986, in Manacor, Mallorca, Nadal has been ranked No. 1 in singles for 209 weeks. He has won 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 French Open, five US Open, two Australian Opens, and two Wimbledon. Nadal has won two Olympic gold medals, one in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and another at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in the doubles category. He has won 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles as of 2024.
Nadal became the first man to win majors on three different surfaces (hard, clay, and grass) in the same year. He became one of four male players to complete the double Career Grand Slam in the singles category. He has won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award five times. He has competed in various team competitions and helped Spain to win four Davis Cup titles.
On October 10, 2024, Nadal announced that he would retire from professional tennis after the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, which will take place from 19 to 24 November. He competed in the exhibition 6 Kings Slam, where he suffered losses to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. At the 2024 Davis Cup, Nadal was defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands in the singles quarterfinals, losing by 6-4, 6-4.
Rafael Nadal's Sister Profession
Maria Isabel Nadal, Rafael Nadal's sister, works in the marketing department of the Rafa Nadal Academy as of November 2024.
As per reports, She relocated to Barcelona in 2009 to attend the INEFC center and study motor and sports sciences. After receiving her diploma, she stayed in Barcelona to finish her master's degree in sports management at Pompeu Fabra University. After completing her studies, Maria worked in a variety of roles.
She worked with a sports management firm called Duet Sports and has also worked with IMG, where she helped plan three ATP Barcelona events. She later went to London and worked for Banca Santander between October 2014 and June 2015. However, she returned to Spain after nine months.
She relocated to Madrid in October 2015 and began working for Producciones Komodo, a communications firm. She worked there for five months before returning to Manacor Island and starting work with her brother.
Also Read: Who has won more Grand Slams Federer or Nadal?
How is Rafael Nadal’s relationship with his sister?
Maria Isabel Nadal is frequently spotted cheering on her brother from the stands. She has talked openly about her close bond with her brother. The Nadal siblings like to spend time together, including going out.
“He’s always urged me to come along when he goes out with his friends. It’s natural to us, even if others might sometimes find it strange. "It's part of the secret of our special bond," she explained in an interview.
Additionally, she has praised Nadal for his influence on her and for being a good brother. “Most boys growing up see their younger sisters as irritations, especially when they are teenagers, but that has never been the way Rafael has treated me.”
Rafael Nadal has also always shielded Maria Isabel Nadal from harm. He becomes incredibly worried as soon as he learns that she even has a minor cold.
She said, “One time when he was away in Australia, my doctor ordered me to have some tests done, nothing too serious, but in all the messages I exchanged with Rafael, that was the one thing I didn’t mention. It would freak him out; it would risk throwing him completely off his game.”
Did Maria Isabel Nadal play a role in Rafael Nadal’s marriage?
The marriage of Nadal and his longtime girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perelló, in October 2019 was primarily orchestrated by Nadal's sister. As per reports, 19 years ago, in 2004, Maria was the one who introduced her friend, Maria Francisca Perelló, to her brother.
At Mallorca's Pureza de Maria College, Maria Isabel and Maria Perelló studied together. They transitioned from being classmates to friends and then to sisters-in-law in the future.
FAQs on What does Rafael Nadal's sister do?
A. Maria Isabel Nadal works in the marketing department of the Rafa Nadal Academy
A. Rafael Nadal played in the both singles and doubles categories of the 2024 Olympics.
A. Yes, Rafael Nadal's sister introduced him to his wife, Maria Francisca Perelló, 19 years ago.
A. Rafael Nadal is 38 years old as of July 2024 and was born on June 3, 1986.
A. Rafael Nadal announced his retirement on October 10, 2024, stating that he will play his last match at the 2024 Davis Cup for Spain.