Rafael Nadal's father-in-law dies at 63

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

The current week has not been good for Rafael Nadal's family! Rafa withdrew from the Madrid Masters, and his father-in-law, Miquel, died at 63! Mery Xisca Perello and Rafa have been together for almost two decades, and the couple married in 2019.

Xisca and Rafa welcomed their first child in October last year. The Spaniard has been dealing with numerous setbacks over the last couple of years, winning Majors after massive efforts but taking many months off the court.

The Spaniard's most recent injury came at the Australian Open, and he still can not compete three months later! Nadal skipped the home Madrid Masters yesterday, withdrawing from the seventh tournament in a row after struggling to recover and play injury-free.

Rafa has played only 13 matches after the last year's Wimbledon, experiencing eight losses and playing miles below his best.

Rafael Nadal's father-in-law died at 63.

The latest setback came in the Australian Open second round, losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round and injuring his left hip in the second set.

The Spaniard embraced further checks and revealed a Grade 2 iliopsoas that should have kept him away from the court for two months. Instead, a 22-time Major champion is yet to recover and play injury-free, skipping seven tournaments and extending his terrible luck.

Nadal missed Doha and Dubai before withdrawing from Indian Wells and Miami, losing points and dropping out from the top-10 for the first time in almost 18 years! To make things worse, Rafa is yet to determine when he will compete again, hoping to return in Rome and get some rhythm and confidence ahead of his main goal, Roland Garros.

"As you know, I suffered a severe hip injury in Australia. Initially, it had to be a six to eight weeks recovery period, and we are now on 14. The reality is that the situation is different from what we would have expected.

All medical indications have been followed, but the evolution has not been what they initially told us. Thus, we find ourselves in a difficult situation. The weeks have passed, and I wanted to compete at my favorite tournaments, such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros.

After missing Monte Carlo and Barcelona, I have to withdraw from Madrid. The injury still has not healed, and I can not work out what I have to do to compete again. I was training, but a few days ago, we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to get to what comes next.

I can not give deadlines because if I knew, I would tell you, but I do not know. This is how things stand," Rafael Nadal said about his injury.