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Rafael Nadal and Uncle Toni, One Last Time Together at the U.S. Open

Related Topics: Rafael Nadal

NEW YORK – In keeping with the spirit of New York, let’s beat the traffic. Let’s get a jump on the rush. And before the man officially retires, let’s toast a figure who has quietly become one of the most successful coaches the sport has known.

Earlier this year, Toni Nadal—quietly, of course—announced that this would be his last season coaching his nephew, Rafa. As coaching changes go, this is seismic, the equivalent of Steve Kerr leaving the Warriors or Zinedine Zidane departing Real Madrid. Yet it is, at best, a secondary storyline.

Maybe the departure of Uncle Toni, as he’s universally known, didn't get much play because—not unlike a certain 15-time major champ—he has never been one to call attention to himself.