Emotional Night: Rafa Nadal & Mery Perelló Honored at Prestigious Foundation Awards

The now legendary athlete was also accompanied by his mother, Ana María Parera, his father, Sebastián Nadal, and his sister, Maribel Nadal.

The third edition of the Rafa Nadal Foundation Awards was not only a celebration of social commitment, but also a night filled with emotions and reunions. This event, held at the Son Mir estate in Palma de Mallorca , was attended by Rafael Nadal himself, who, after retiring from tennis last October in the Davis Cup, has once again shone in a very special role: that of philanthropist and ambassador of solidarity.

Nadal’s departure from the professional circuit marked the end of an era in tennis, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and humility. Now, his focus is on projects that generate a positive impact on society, such as his Foundation and academy , in addition to exploring new facets as an entrepreneur and investor. In fact, Nadal has taken an important step in his professional life by joining the social network LinkedIn, where he shares his reflections on leadership, education, and his various business projects.

The Mallorcan tennis player, who has already become a legend of world sport, was accompanied by his wife, Mery Perelló, director of the Foundation, as well as his mother, Ana María Parera , who serves as president, his father, Sebastián Nadal , vice president, and his sister, Maribel Nadal . The complicity between Rafa and Maribel was evident during the gala, sharing glances and smiles that reflected the strong bond between them. The champion’s family did not want to miss this charity event, which recognized organizations that work tirelessly to improve the lives of people in vulnerable situations.

Awards with impact

In this third edition, the awards once again highlighted initiatives with a real impact on society. More than 250 applications were received, from which five organizations were selected to receive a cash grant of 15,000 euros each. The winners were:

Sports and Education Award: Soñar Despierto Foundation, for its work with minors in care through sports and values education.
Health and Wellbeing Award: Canis Majoris Foundation, which offers dog-assisted therapies to improve mental health in hospitals.
Environmental Action Award: Integra Pirineus Private Foundation , which promotes the labor integration of people at risk of exclusion through sustainable forest management.
Development Cooperation Award: Pablo Horstmann Foundation, which works to improve maternal and child health in Nairobi’s slums.
Social Innovation Award: ASPAYM Castilla y León , for its educational inclusion project and use of 3D technology to personalize support for students with special needs.

In addition, the Fit For Life special recognition was awarded by UNESCO to athlete and activist Aauri Bokesa , highlighting her commitment to inclusion and equality.

Beyond the awards, the gala was also a showcase of style. Mery Perelló dazzled with a monochromatic white look, featuring a tailored coat and a blazer and wide-legged pants combo, complemented by gold accessories and a Louis Vuitton bag. Her mother-in-law, Ana María Parera, and sister-in-law, Maribel Nadal, opted for black in sophisticated combinations of suits and printed shirts or cropped tops with jewel details.

Rafa’s words

The emotion was palpable when Rafael Nadal spoke to highlight the purpose of these awards: to give visibility to organizations that make a difference in the lives of many people. “Those of us who have been privileged to live in better conditions have a moral obligation to help those who haven’t had the same opportunities,” the former tennis player stated.

Since retiring from professional tennis, Nadal has focused on his family and new projects. He enjoys his role as a husband and father to his son, Rafael Jr., who was born in October 2022. He has confessed that fatherhood has brought him indescribable happiness and that he makes the most of his time to do everyday activities with his family, something his commitments previously prevented him from doing. As for tennis, he has decided to take a break before picking up a racket again, although he has not hesitated to try other sports, such as soccer, with humor and without high expectations.

In the business world, Nadal continues to expand his legacy with the Rafa Nadal Academy , which recently sold 44.9% of its assets, retaining majority control. He has also ventured into real estate and hotel businesses with the ZEL brand in collaboration with Meliá International, in addition to continuing his investments in innovative projects.

The event was hosted by journalist Susana Guasch , who didn’t want to miss the opportunity despite it coinciding with her birthday. It was undoubtedly an unforgettable evening that united sport, solidarity, and hope for a better future.