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A16 sports
Tuesday 31 May 2022
Analysis: Might Djokovic vs. Nadal, Part 59, be their last?

PARIS (AP) — This French against COVID-19 prevent-
Open is the first Grand Slam ed him from participat-
tournament in a year with ing at the Australian Open
both Novak Djokovic and and, while he's been as-
Rafael Nadal in the field. sured that won't be a prob-
And anyone who enjoys lem at Wimbledon when it
men's tennis — or, indeed, starts June 27, his status for
sports — should be thrilled the U.S. Open is uncertain
that those two titans of the at the moment.
game will face each other Whether statistics, aesthet-
for a record 59th time. ics or any other measures
Is it a shame Tuesday night's is applied, both are among
match is "only" a quarterfi- the greatest there's ever
nal, instead of something been. About that there
with more at stake? Per- can be no debate.
haps. Will that dissuade Nadal owns a men's-re-
anyone from watching cord 21 Grand Slam titles, a
from afar or dull the atmo- number he reached with a
sphere that'll envelop Court tiebreaking triumph at the
Philippe Chatrier? Doubtful. Australian Open in January.
Could it decrease the in- Djokovic, like Roger Feder-
tensity of each player's per- er, is one behind. Djokovic
formance? Not a chance. Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left, and Spain's Rafael Nadal look at each other as they pose for images has all sorts of other bona
"I'm ready for it," Djokovic prior to the final match of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, fides, including more weeks
said. France, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. spent at No. 1 in the ATP
"I hope to be able to give Associated Press rankings than anyone else,
myself a chance to play at the only man with at least
the highest level possible," happen in the near future 1/2 weeks ago he had no hampered or slowed at all two trophies from every
Nadal said, "and then let's with my career," Nadal idea whether he'd make it during their fourth-round major tournament and the
see." said. this far. thriller, which lasted nearly only one with at least two
So then the question that His body has been a big is- "Being honest, every match 4 1/2 hours, almost twice as trophies from every Masters
Nadal will have on his mind sue over the past 12 months. that I play here, I don't long as Djokovic's straight- event. He also leads both
— and we know so be- He missed the last half of know if it's going to be my set win Sunday over 15th- Federer and Nadal head-
cause he said so — and last season, including Wim- last match here in Roland seeded Diego Schwartz- to-head.
Djokovic might, too, is: How bledon and the U.S. Open, Garros. ... That's my situ- man. Djokovic and Nadal have
many more of these show- because of chronic pain in ation now," he said after Djokovic hasn't dropped a played each other more
downs are there going to his left foot that flared up edging 21-year-old Felix set through four matches. frequently than any other
be? again in recent weeks. Af- Auger-Aliassime in five sets "He's Novak," Schwartzman pair of men in the half-
First of all, Nadal turns 36 on ter his 20-0 start to 2022, he Sunday night. "That's why said, "and if you are not century-plus of professional
Friday; Djokovic turned 35 missed three tournaments I am just trying to enjoy as 100% ... obviously, the result tennis. Djokovic leads 30-28
on May 22, the first day of because of a rib injury. much as possible." is like this." overall; Nadal leads 19-8
the French Open. "I can't complain much," Auger-Aliassime said Nad- As for Djokovic, his deci- on clay, including 7-2 at
"I don't know what can Nadal said, noting that 2 al did not appear to be sion to not get vaccinated Roland Garros. q

Pelicans' CJ McCollum joining ESPN as an NBA analyst

a multi-platform deal. He the many talented profes- this opportunity, combined
will make his ESPN debut on sionals at ESPN is a dream with his passion for journal-
Thursday during "NBA Finals: come true." ism and sports broadcast-
Celebrating 75", which will McCollum will work with ing, will be a clear benefit
be ESPN2's alternate pre- ESPN to develop a new for NBA fans."
sentation of Game 1 of the podcast. He will also be McCollum was traded from
NBA Finals between the an analyst on games dur- Portland to New Orleans
Golden State Warriors and ing coverage of the NBA near the February trade
Boston Celtics. Summer League as well as deadline. He averaged
McCollum graduated from some appearances on stu- 24.3 points once he joined
Lehigh University with a dio shows throughout the the Pelicans and helped
journalism degree and has year. them make the playoffs.
made past appearances "CJ is one of the most re- McCollum is part of an in-
on ESPN as an analyst. spected players in the NBA, creasing number of play-
"I am excited to bring what which is evident by his role ers who are year-around
I feel is my unique perspec- as President of the NBA analysts while still playing.
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) is shown dur-
ing the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round tive, based on my vast PA. Furthermore, he's an Los Angeles Sparks for-
playoff series, Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Phoenix. knowledge of the game extremely talented mem- ward Chiney Ogwumike
Associated Press that I've gained during my ber of — and leader on — has been working for ESPN
nine years as a player in one of the most interesting since 2018, including a stint
By JOE REEDY busy schedule — NBA ana- the NBA," McCollum said in teams in the league: the hosting an afternoon ra-
New Orleans guard and lyst for ESPN. a statement. "To have an New Orleans Pelicans," said dio show. Golden State's
NBA Players Association The network announced opportunity to put my jour- David Roberts, ESPN head Draymond Green signed
president CJ McCollum has Monday that they have nalism background to use of NBA and studio produc- a multi-platform deal with
added another title to his signed the Pelicans star to on the largest stage with tion. "CJ's commitment to Turner Sports in January.q