Nadal's Curse

One of the greatest rivalries in sports today is between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—but could Nadal, the current number one player in the world, be prematurely destroying his body? A new profile in the New York Times Magazine examines this issue, while also reporting on Nadal's colorful uncle Toni, who has been his lifelong coach. Toni encouraged Nadal, who is right-handed, to play with his left, and also instilled in him a humility and level-headedness that has served him well. Both men are unconcerned with the consequences of Nadal's physical style of play and their principle philosophy is "play every point as though it were the last." If Nadal makes it to Wimbledon in spite of the tendinitis in his knee, fans shouldn't be surprised.