NEW YORK -- Dustin Tankersley remembers this clearly. It was 2013 and he was a sleep-deprived US Open racket stringer, standing 18-hour days for nearly three weeks straight. It was late and most of the other stringers had left for the night, but he was one of a pair required to stay until the last match of the day was completed.
Rafael Nadal, who had just completed his match, unexpectedly walked into the stringing room.
"Thanks guys," he said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
The few stringers left in the shop were surprised and grateful that their work had been noticed and appreciated.