Families Separating: The Good and The Bad

Stepping Down for Family

Arguably, one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, Rafael Nadal, has been trained by the same coach when he was just three years old to now at age 30. That man is his uncle Toni Nadal who confirmed on Tuesday that he will be stepping down as Rafael’s primary coach.

The New York Times reported that it was Uncle Toni who suggested young Rafael play tennis with his left hand, even though he was right-handed, and told him to play forehand with one hand instead of two. He developed a young tennis player from the ground up, eventually evolving into one of the elite, which is inspiring to see how 27 years of dedication paid off.

Rafael Nadal, left, with his uncle Toni Nadal
Roberto Schmidt/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

In a phone interview with the New York Times’ Christopher Clarey, Toni said:

“It’s been 27 years now with Rafael and tennis. I remember when he was 3, and at the beginning we played a few times, and he liked it. But as he liked soccer much more, he stopped playing tennis for a while before coming back to it. I always had the belief when Rafael was small that he could be a very good player. But I could never have imagined all that he would do in tennis.”

Toni made the decision to step down as Rafael’s coach because he wants to dedicate more time to his wife and children, which I find encouraging that even on a large scale such as world tennis, a husband’s number priority is still his family. He will also spend time at the Rafa Nadal Academy developing young talent, which judging by his success with Rafael, these students of the game are in for a world of success.

Rafael made an astounding run to the final of the Australian Open on Sunday, January 27, but fell to Roger Federer in five sets. Just as Toni has been Rafael’s number one supporter during his entire career, Toni was seated in the players’ box supporting his nephew in Australia.

Family Feud

Bad blood is what the New York Knicks are dealing with in the situation between owner, James L. Dolan, and retired star player, Charles Oakley. A little over a week ago, on February 8, Oakley was ejected from Madison Square Garden and arrested after getting in a physical altercation with security guards.

Just two days later, on Feb. 10, Madison Square Garden banned Oakley from the arena. Three days later, on Monday, Feb. 13, NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, met with Dolan and Oakley, which led to the Knicks lifting the ban. Dolan offered an apologize to Oakley, but Oakley declined, also saying he would not accept any invitations to attend a Knicks game.

Charles Oakley in 2011.
Chuck Burton/Associated Press

James L. Dolan, the Knicks owner
Ben Solomon for the New York Times

“I want to have a press conference, and I want him to apologize to me and the fans,” Oakley said. “There’s a swimming pool full of water; it takes a while when you drain it.”

With a beat that is focusing on how a sports team is similar to a family, and learning in my research just how important building a family dynamic is, I can’t help but look at this situation with my beat in mind. 

A misbehaving child in Charles Oakley, is not allowed to go back home at Madison Square Garden because a father-figure, James L. Dolan, says he is not allowed. In steps, a grandfather, Adam Silver, to restore peace. We’ll have to wait and see how this family will continue to manage all the drama.