"She couldn't take her eyes off him"—and neither could he! How Nadal inadvertently made a ball girl famous 12 years ago /VIDEO/

Pulse Sports Team 20:53 - 01 November 2026

Ball kids are an essential part of any tennis match, but over the years, certain ball girls have left even superstars like Rafael Nadal completely stunned. Once a signature feature of tournaments in Madrid and Rio, one in particular became unforgettable to tennis fans worldwide.

Back in 2014, the organizers in Rio hired well-known models to serve as ball girls during matches. Among them was Fernanda Maia Carelli, a journalist and model who completely captivated Rafael Nadal, leaving the Spanish superstar unable to take his eyes off her.

The Brazilian was instantly dubbed "the most beautiful ball girl in tennis history," with fans wishing they could see more of her on the ATP Tour.

Fans certainly never forgot her. Curious about where she ended up and what she is doing today, supporters tracked down her Instagram profile to see how her life and career have unfolded.

Today, the stunning Brazilian works as a sports journalist. She is a commentator on a popular Brazilian radio station and hosts the television sports program "SBT Esporte Rio."

VIDEO: The stunning Maia who caught Nadal's eye