Rafa Nadal and Meri Perelló: Rare Revelations About the Start of Their Relationship. Rafa Nadal and Meri Perelló have spoken openly for the first time about the beginning of their story. In the spotlight are their rare admissions, unexpected details, and family moments that had previously remained behind the scenes.
Moments when one of Spain's most private couples dares to show vulnerability are rare in the country’s celebrity chronicles. But that’s exactly what happened at the premiere of the documentary project ‘RAFA,’ where Rafa Nadal and Mery Perelló spoke candidly for the first time about how their relationship began — and did so in a way that left no one in the audience indifferent.
The premiere, held in Madrid, was not only an event for tennis fans but also sparked discussions about Nadal’s private life. As noted by Divinity, in the new documentary set to be released on Netflix on May 29, Rafa has, for the first time, decided to show not only his sports career but also the part of his life he’s always guarded from public view. The focus is not only on his victories and injuries but also on family moments and his love story with Mery Perelló.
A rare display of candor
In one of the fragments already discussed in Spanish media, Nadal and Perelló recall how their families knew each other even before they were born, and their first meetings took place in their hometown of Manacor. Mery admits she remembers Nadal from his First Communion, but they only truly grew close as teenagers. That summer, Rafa began to show initiative, while Mery, in her own words, replied to his messages without much enthusiasm. This detail came as a surprise to many fans, since until now their relationship had seemed ideal and free from the awkwardness of a typical beginning.
Nadal himself admits he was in love with Mery from the very beginning, and that she helped him find inner stability during difficult periods in his career. The documentary features archival footage for the first time, showing Rafa waiting for Mery’s response—details that previously existed only in their memories.
Family off the tennis courts
The film pays special attention to how Mery Perelló always stayed out of the spotlight and never interfered in her husband’s professional affairs. Their 2019 wedding took place in their native Mallorca, and three years later, the couple welcomed their son, Rafa. In 2025, the family grew with the birth of another child, Miquel. According to Nadal, these moments became a source of happiness and inner peace for him, and life in Mallorca is a vital part of his identity.
It is telling that Mery still avoids public comments and rarely appears in the media. That’s why her confessions in the film made such an impact: the public heard her voice for the first time and saw her recalling the early days of their relationship. This moment became a real event for fans of the couple and for everyone who follows Spanish celebrity news.
Attention to detail
The premiere of “RAFA” has already sparked new discussions not only among sports fans but also in the media. The attention to detail, family episodes, and the rare admissions from Nadal and Perelló highlight how seldom Spanish celebrities choose to be so candid. In this sense, the story of Rafa and Mery recalls other rare cases when stars reveal the personal side of their lives—such as the recent gesture by Sara Carbonero and Jota Cabrera, which also became a matter of discussion in the Spanish media (read more about how celebrities share personal details for the first time).
According to Divinity, Nadal’s decision to agree to filming was not an easy one: he was worried that publicity might affect his loved ones, family, and team. However, it was the support of those he trusts that helped him take this step. Now the public awaits the film’s release to see not only his sporting achievements, but also that part of his life that has always remained behind the scenes.
