MADRID — Mallorca's regional government says the grandfather of Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal has died. He was 85.
The elder Rafael Nadal was born on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, where he was a prominent local musician who directed the choir of Palma's Teatre Principal from 1983-89. He became the patriarch of a renowned sporting family as his five children included football player Miguel Nadal, who played for Spain at three World Cups, and Toni Nadal, who has coached the younger Rafael throughout his tennis career.
The Mallorca regional government expressed its condolences in a statement on its website without giving further details.