![By Christopher Johnson (globalite) (originally posted to Flickr as IMG_6940) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://2paragraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Rafael_Nadal_at_the_2011_Australian_Open14-620x375.jpg)
In October 2015, tennis champion Rafael Nadal was struggling with injuries and no longer a guarantee to contend for titles. Cut to January 2017, he’s made it to the finals of the Australian Open where he faces his longtime rival, Roger Federer. In the stands will be Federer’s wife, Mirka, mother of his four children (2 sets of twins!). It’s not always a guarantee, but there’s a chance that Nadal’s long-time girlfriend Maria “Mary” Francisca Perello will be watching too.
[At Amazon: RAFA — What makes a champion?]
Almost since their courtship began, Nadal has been asked about his prospects of marrying. Back in October 2015, Nadal said that “Mary agrees in not getting married before my career’s over. There is time and moments for everything and that’s how we both see things. I would love to have a family but I do also want to fully enjoy it,” Nadal added. So far, nothing has changed — at least as far as we know. Keep in mind, Nadal is only 30!
