Wimbeldon is about to begin – but female fans of Rafael Nadal have one less reason to cheer this year.

Turns out the supposedly single tennis ace has a long-running love match with a girl from his hometown of Majorca. In fact, the 22-year-old has reportedly been dating Maria Francisca Perello for three years – and the two were recently photographed frolicking in the surf.

"My nephew always maintained he was single," the jock's trainer and uncle Toni Nadal tells Britain's Mail on Sunday. "It was a well-kept secret but actually his girlfriend is waiting for him in Majorca."

He added, "I guess a lot of girls will be upset to know the truth."