Angélica Bernal Biography: Age, Paralympic History, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Career

María Angélica Bernal Villalobos is a pioneering Colombian wheelchair tennis player, recognized as the country’s first to compete in Grand Slams and reach the world’s top 10 rankings.

Through her Semillas sin Barreras tennis school, she inspires children with disabilities, fostering the growth of wheelchair tennis in Colombia.

Profile

• Full Name: María Angélica Bernal Villalobos
• Stage Name: Angélica Bernal
• Born: March 27, 1995
• Age: 30 years old
• Birthplace: Bogotá, Colombia
• Nationality: Colombian
• Occupation: Colombian Wheelchair Tennis Player
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Bernal
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Not Married
• Children: None
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $100,000 to $5 million

Early Life and Education

María Angélica Bernal Villalobos was born on March 27, 1995, in Bogotá, Colombia. Born without her right leg due to phocomelia (Roberts Syndrome), a genetic disorder, she began using a prosthetic leg at age two. Raised by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bernal, she was encouraged to explore sports from age five, trying basketball, volleyball, skating, and tennis with her father’s support.

At 11, she attended an International Tennis Federation clinic for athletes with disabilities, where coach Aad Zwaan, mentor to legend Esther Vergeer, recognized her potential. Initially hesitant about using a wheelchair due to societal stigma, she transitioned to wheelchair tennis with her family’s support, a decision that shaped her career.

Bernal pursued a university degree while competing, though specific details about her education are not publicly available. Her ethnicity is Colombian, and no information is available about her religious beliefs.

Career

María Angélica Bernal Villalobos has built a remarkable career in wheelchair tennis, breaking barriers for Colombian athletes. She started competing in 2009 and quickly rose through the junior ranks, reaching world No. 2 in girls’ rankings and winning singles titles at the 2011 and 2012 Cruyff Foundation Junior Masters, plus doubles titles in 2011 and 2013.

Her professional breakthrough came in 2019, when she won the Semana Guga Kuerten title in Florianópolis, Brazil, defeating Lucy Shuker (4-6, 6-3, 6-1). In 2020, she debuted at the US Open, reaching the semifinals in both women’s singles and doubles, and entered the world’s top 10 rankings.

Bernal has competed in three Paralympics (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), with a historic performance at Paris 2024, where she became the first Colombian wheelchair tennis player to win a singles match, defeating France’s Pauline Deroulede (6-3, 6-1) and Japan’s Saki Takamuro (6-2, 6-1) to reach the quarterfinals. She also reached the quad doubles quarterfinals with Zuleinny Rodríguez.

Her Grand Slam record includes semifinals at the Australian Open (2021, 2022) and French Open (2023, 2024) in singles, and doubles semifinals at the US Open (2020) and French Open (2023). In 2024, she reached the Sardinia Open semifinals, defeating Mariska Venter (6-2, 6-4).

Bernal’s aggressive style, enhanced by lowering her wheelchair for speed, has made her a formidable competitor. She continues to compete on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour while running her tennis school.

Awards and Nominations

• Parapan American Games, Toronto 2015: Silver Medal, Women’s Doubles
• Parapan American Games, Lima 2019: Bronze Medal, Women’s Singles; Silver Medal, Women’s Doubles
• Americas Paralympic Committee Athlete of the Month: October 2019 (for Semana Guga Kuerten title)
• Cruyff Foundation Junior Masters: Singles Champion (2011, 2012); Doubles Champion (2011, 2013)

Bernal’s multiple Parapan American medals and junior titles highlight her as Colombia’s leading wheelchair tennis player.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @mariangelicabernal
• Twitter Handle: @MaAngelica95

Personal Life

María Angélica Bernal Villalobos, a pioneering wheelchair tennis player, keeps her personal life private, with no public details about her marital status, relationships, or family beyond her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bernal. Inspired by Maria Sharapova’s passion and elegance, she brings a fierce yet graceful presence to the court.

Bernal’s dedication extends beyond competition; in 2010, she founded Semillas sin Barreras, a Bogotá-based tennis school for children and teenagers with disabilities, providing wheelchairs and rackets to students. Her commitment to empowering others is evident in her hands-on involvement, playing with students when in Colombia.

She trains six days a week, including gym sessions, on-court practice, physical therapy to prevent injuries, and mobility training with Colombia’s wheelchair basketball team to enhance her speed. Her Yorkshire puppy, Lucky, a gift from her father after her first tournament win, is a beloved companion.

Bernal aspires to work in sports administration post-retirement, aiming to advance Paralympic sports globally.

Net Worth

María Angélica Bernal Villalobos, a pioneering wheelchair tennis player, has an estimated net worth between the range of $100,000 to $5 million. Her income likely stems from prize money, sponsorships (including Babolat), and support from Colombian sports organizations like the District Institute of Recreation and Sport of Bogotá. Specific financial details are unavailable due to her private approach to personal matters.