johnnyrocket - MyTwoCents
Daily sports briefs | Door opens for Rafael Nadal in GOAT race, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua agree to TWO fights, golfers lukewarm on microphones - and more!
DOOR OPENS FOR NADAL IN GOAT RACE
News of Roger Federer's surgery ruling him out of tennis for the rest of the year AND Novak Djokovic's reluctance to play in the US Open under the current overly strict protocols, has potentially opened the door for Rafa Nadal to get an edge in the race for most Grand Slam titles. That is if HE decides to play - the Spanish matador has indicated that he is currently not prepared to travel due to Covid-19 concerns.
MYTWOCENTS VERDICT: Money will talk and the authorities will not want to risk holding a tennis major without any of the Big 3 involved. Arrangements will be made to make sure they are accommodated. As things stand, Federer has 20 Grand Slam titles, followed by Rafa on 19 and Novak on 17.
FURY/JOSHUA AGREE TO TWO FIGHT DEAL FOR 2021
The much-hyped Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua fight is on for 2021 ... times 2! Both fighters agreed to a 50-50 money split on the first fight with a mandatory rematch with a 60-40 revenue share for the winner of the first fight. Details are still a little sketchy at this point but all indications are that the first fight will take place in Abu Dhabi.
MYTWOCENTS VERDICT: This is a fight all British boxing fans have been pushing for ... my money would be on Fury as he is a significantly better boxer than Joshua. Fury still needs to get past Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight, but it seems that the Joshua fights will go ahead regardless of the Wilder result.
DROP THE MIC! GOLF IS BACK
The PGA tour reopens with the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas today. Players had been asked to wear microphones during their round as a way of enhancing the viewer experience and compensating for the absence of spectators at events. So far the request has been met with a lukewarm response from the players.
Justin Thomas has said that he is against the plan ... "What I talk about with Jimmy [his caddie] and what I talk about with the guys in my group is none of anybody else's business, no offence."
Jon Rahm also flat batted the proposal: "Selfishly, because who I am and because I know how I am on the golf course, I wouldn't support it, because there would need to be a 20- or 30- second delay. And I'm not the only one. A lot of people swear or cuss."
MYTWOCENTS VERDICT: Fair enough. The players have to endure scrutiny from the cameras while trying to focus on a game that is tough enough as it is already to be worrying about what they say during a round. While the idea sounds like fun on paper, it would open up to a lot of controversy and overall be an unnecessary distraction.