Rafael Nadal’s wife Xisca Perello watched on ominously as he struggled against Dominic Thiem in the Australian Open quarter-final. Nadal was battling for a place in the final four to play Alex Zverev on Friday.
But things were not going his way as he lost the opening two sets – both at tiebreaks – with Thiem instrumental throughout.
Nadal, 33, was looking for his second Australian Open title and his 20th Grand Slam to join level with Roger Federer on 20.
But the world no 1 could not get going and his new wife Xisca watched on from the sidelines looking ominous alongside his team.
Nadal and Xisca tied the knot in October last year in Mallorca, Spain, with a reported 350 guests including the former King of Spain, Juan Carlos I.
However Nadal was quick to get back into his groove.
Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem LIVE updates from Australian Open
Speaking at an event in Kazakhstan he said: “The wedding is fast and I think we enjoy it a lot this beautiful day.
“We have a lot of fun and we enjoy this day with people that we wanted. We had a great day.
“It’s something that we have been preparing for such a long time. But it’s gone, now is the moment to come back to the end of the season of tennis.”
Nadal also revealed plans to start a family over the coming years.
“If I didn’t see myself playing tennis… then possibly, I could have had children before,” Nadal told ATP Tour website.
“It’s not something that just depends on you.
“I love children and I would like to form part of a family.
“At the age we are now we’re not going to wait five years.”
Nadal was also asked about what his wife would think of him kissing the young ball girl on the cheek, after he hit in the face with a wild return in the earlier rounds of the tournament in Melbourne.
“Oh no I’m not worried at all,” he said to Jim Courier,” he said.
“Probably after 15 years she doesn’t care much.”
