show ad

The ultimate act of heroism: Marine, 24, who jumped on a grenade to shield his comrade from blast in Afghanistan is set to receive the Medal of Honor
EXCLUSIVE 'Spoiled' cheerleader suing her parents got so drunk on vodka at home of millionaire attorney paying her fees that she 'threw up in a sidewalk garbage can'
I'm not her! Student with same name as 'spoiled' teen suing her parents is hit by internet trolls - but uses opportunity to drum up support for charity
Man who covered boy with gasoline and set him on fire 13 years ago CAN be tried for murder even though the victim died in 2011, judge rules
Entire family busted for $7MILLION shop-lifting spree: Mother, father and daughter 'used specially designed clothes to pocket thousands of stolen items to fund their millionaire lifestyles'
Divorced father ordered to pay HALF his daughter's $225,000 Ivy League law school tuition despite pair 'falling out' years ago
'Diana never did tell her the truth': Royal's former chef reveals how Princess tricked Oprah into eating fatty food
She's finally forgiven him! Couple win $3million jackpot 37 years after wife's numbers last came up... but husband forgot to buy the ticket
Justice at last: Father who raped daughter from when she was three-years-old then fled to Germany breaks down as he is sentenced to 95 years after SHE tracked him down
Desperate hunt for straight-A nursing student as her parents discover she hadn't been to classes since May despite using their credit card to pay tuition
Mother and father charged after SKELETAL remains of their three-year-old son are found stashed in toy chest
Warriors of the White War emerge from their frozen tomb: Almost 100 years after losing their lives in First World War battle, melting ice reveals the bodies of the fallen
Armand Assante in desperate bid to stop foreclosure on his $3.5m horse farm as he claims he's a victim of predatory lending
MUMMIFIED body of woman who hasn't been seen 'for six years' is found in foreclosed Detroit home
Woman, 75, beaten to death with a SLEDGEHAMMER 'by her daughter and grandson after she called police to report them for growing marijuana'
An offer he could refuse! Goodfellas star Ray Liotta sues skincare company for putting his face on advert selling pock mark reducing cream
Two women 'who earned hundreds of thousands a year as high-class escorts had so much cash they hid it in air vents and under carpets'
EXCLUSIVE: Tiffani's father won a $27m Powerball jackpot when she was 11. A decade later he died broke after he blew it all on a Learjet, fast cars, bad deals and drugs. Here, she tells of her RELIEF the 'wild ride' is over
Great-grandmother, 89, spends final months in agony from horrific burns she received in the operating room after 'surgical flash fire'
'That's why you shouldn't let monkeys out of their cages': Outrage as white students unleash racist tweets after basketball game defeat to rival school
Can these jeans give you a bigger booty? Push-up design uses shading and pocket placement to create 'more junk in the trunk'
MLK's daughter faces jail if she doesn't hand over the civil rights icon's Bible and Nobel Peace Prize in family feud over proposed sale
Left as a warning: Suspected US spy killed by al Qaeda militants is chained to soccer goalposts after being executed in Yemen
Death of an asteroid: Hubble captures enormous space rock self-destructing on film for the first time

What a match! Topless Rafael Nadal doesn't have a care in the world as he hits the beach in Mexico with stunning girlfriend Maria

PUBLISHED: 03:18 EST, 5 March 2014 | UPDATED: 11:04 EST, 5 March 2014

141

View
comments

He's set to fly to Indian Wells to defend his title but Rafael Nadal looked like he didn't have a care in the world as he relaxed with his girlfriend in Mexico.

After winning the title in Rio de Janeiro, the World number one took some much-needed some time off ahead of the Masters 1000 season.

And of course with Rafa being Rafa, there was a sporty twist added into the break too, as he and stunning girlfriend Maria Xisca Perello broke up the monotony of sunbathing with a spot of deep-sea diving and kayaking.

Squinting in the sun: Rafael Nadal goes shirtless while his girlfriend Maria Xisca Perello bares her bikini body while spending a romantic time in the sea of Cancun, Mexico

Beach bodies: Rafael Nadal and girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello showed off their lean figures as they hit the beach in Cancun

Putting his back into it: Rafael paddles and takes the pressure off Maria as they take in the sights of Cancun by sea

Since Rafael, 27, is someone who takes his tennis career extremely seriously, he made sure he put his back into it as he clambered into the back of an orange kayak with Maria and paddled hard as the pair took in the ravishing surroundings of palm-lined Cancun.

More...

With a huge smile on his face, Nadal showed off his muscular physique in a pair of swimming shorts as he enjoyed a cooling dip in the sea.

Meanwhile, Maria, who is affectionately called Xisca by friends and family, also displayed her enviable beach body in a monochrome bikini as the pair enjoyed their holiday.

In synch: The pair find their stride in the deep blue sea as Nadal and Maria enjoy a relaxing break

Taking it easy: Nadal takes a breather and allows Maria to take over and do the hard work

Paddles up! The pair take a break from paddling and drift leisurely for a while...

A helping hand: Maria looks on giggling as the boatman helps Rafael find his balance

The pair have been dating for the past few years and their romance seems to still be going strong.

Speaking about their relationship recently, friend Pedro Hernadez had said: 'Raf and Xisca are both very shy and ordinary people who like to live simply.

'They are not at all interested in a celebrity lifestyle. They get together when the tournaments are over. That’s how Raf winds down.'

Beach bodies: Rafael and girlfriend Maria showed off their lean figures as they hit the beach in Mexico

And stretch! Maria displayed her toned figure as she stretched in the sunshine

Described by friends as an 'intelligent girl from a good family', Xisca studied business in Mallorca.

While the pair didn't put on a loved-up display for the cameras as many other celebrity couples seem to do on holiday, the affection between them was clear to see.

But it wasn't only Xisca's beach body which caused a stir on the beach, as Nadal is something of a celebrity everywhere he goes.

Deep sea fun: The Spanish tennis star prepares to take a dive in the Caribbean Sea

Catching up with pals: A sun-kissed Rafael chats with friends on the jetty as he relaxes in Cancun at dusk

No rest for the wicked: Rafael and a chum are off again and head back to the hotel after a day's deep sea diving

The Spanish tennis star will be awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the Balearic Islands in recognition of his athletic achievements and the values he has upheld during his career, the higher education institution said.

Nadal, who was born and makes his home in Manacor, a town on the Balearic Island of Mallorca, has shown a commitment to excellence, making him "one of the greatest athletes of all time," UIB said in a statement.

Nadal and his family have been contacted about the honor, the university said.

The tennis star and his family were happy to learn that he had been selected to receive the highest honor that the university in 'his land' can grant an individual, UIB said.

The 27-year-old, a 13-time Grand Slam champion, has won a record eight French Open titles.

A contemplative moment: Rafael covers up in a pale pink shirt and stares distantly into the sea at sunset

We know that face Nadal: The tennis star, famous for his loud grunts and grimmaces on court, zones out on the beach

MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS

Comments (141)

Share what you think

View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

Someone, Somewhere, 55 minutes ago

Dat ass...

Click to rate

Titch west, tonchington essex, 1 hour ago

hope he wasn't making a racquet :)

Click to rate

Kenny, London, United Kingdom, 21 hours ago

She is queen of the beach, great body...and he is king on the court, great to watch

Click to rate

jordi, Mississauga, Canada, 21 hours ago

You say "topless" like he's a woman. Of course he's topless, he's wearing a bathing suit at the beach and he's a guy. Not exactly shocking.

Click to rate

Marianne, Cape Town, 8 hours ago

I know it's so annoying. Shirtless DM. NOT TOPLESS.

Click to rate

Truthseeker, Atlantis, United Kingdom, 22 hours ago

RAFA'S CONSTANTLY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR MURRAY WHOSE FURTHER UP THE BEACH CHEWING METAL BARS AND SPITTING TACKS !!

Click to rate

lycisca, Trapani, United Kingdom, 23 hours ago

His pal's not too shabby either.

Click to rate

biggy, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 23 hours ago

Lovely guy, great sportsman in every sense

Click to rate

Anonymous_79, Chester, United States, 23 hours ago

Haha dont like his short shorts but i do love him as a tennis player ;P

Click to rate

Jay, NYC, 23 hours ago

He and his family call her Mary, not Xisca, and they have been together at least eight years, not just a few as DM states. Love this guy, it's so much fun watching him play tennis, one of the greatest ever. Andre Agassi said Rafa IS the greatest, even if he doesn't surpass Federer's wins due to possible chronic injuries.