The tennis player's sister participates in the documentary miniseries 'Rafa' and reveals details of family life in Manacor, where the grandparents lived on the first floor and the cousins on the second.
The documentary 'Rafa', released on Netflix on May 29, has brought to light previously unheard testimonies from the childhood of the Mallorcan tennis player. Among them is the account of his sister Maribel Nadal, who recalls what life was like in the family building in Manacor where they grew up together.
A family united under the same roof
Maribel Nadal explains that in the family block of flats, the grandparents occupied the first floor, Uncle Toni – Rafa's coach – the second, and they the third. "We have always been very close," she states in the documentary produced by Skydance Sports.
This physical closeness, according to her, created a safe environment for little Rafa. "From a very young age, he spent a lot of time with our family and I believe this made him grow up in a very family-oriented and also very safe environment," she adds.
The tennis player's mother, Ana María Parera, also intervenes and recalls her son's beginnings in tennis: "He started playing very young. As a child, he played tennis for three hours and it was no big deal."
The childhood love that became eternal
Another of the most anticipated testimonies is from Mery Perelló, Nadal's wife, who speaks for the first time on camera about their relationship. "We grew up in a small town. Our families knew each other before we were born," she recounts.
Perelló remembers attending Nadal's communion when she was six years old. "We got to know each other better when we were teenagers and started dating one summer. He was chasing me at that time," she reveals with laughter.
The love story, which began in childhood, has become a cornerstone of the former world number one's life after his retirement in 2024.
A documentary that shows the human side
The four-episode miniseries reviews Nadal's sports career but also delves into his personal life after leaving competition. For the residents of Manacor, seeing how their most universal compatriot grew up on the same streets as them is particularly moving.
The documentary includes testimonies from physiotherapist Rafael Maymó and the tennis player's parents, who provide an intimate view of the athlete's figure. The production has generated significant impact since its release.
For the tennis player's fans, the series offers a unique opportunity to get to know the man behind the myth. And for the people of Manacor, it is a source of pride to see how their town remains the centre of the story.
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