Legend Laver a big ‘ out’ for Open

THE dear and beloved old thing sits in the prime seat during matches, taking drinks and snacks from the blue Esky at his feet, meeting and greeting anyone lucky enough to jag a chair in his private box.

He tries with all his might to stay awake when the evening session drags on towards midnight … but Rod Laver seems certain to be missing from the arena that bears his name at next month’s Australian Open.

How sad. His presence is golden. He’s made Roger Federer weep. He’s turned Rafael Nadal speechless.

He’s made Serena Williams curtsy and swoon. That’s no mean feat. Ash Barty has told him more than once, thanks for watching.

Laver in Rod Laver Arena every year has the familiarity of witnessing grandpa sitting in his favourite reading chair at home every Christmas but it seems implausible for the 82year- old, now based at Carlsbad, California, to travel to Melbourne because of the strict quarantine and travel restrictions caused by COVID- 19. Like the players, Laver would have to arrive two weeks early to quarantine before the two- week tournament. That’s a long and laborious month.

When Roger Federer revealed he would miss the Open because of injury, Laver tweeted: “Like many across the world I was extremely sorry to hear @ rogerfederer can’t play the Australian Open in 2021 after 21 straight years and six titles at RLA. I look forward to his injury- free return and seeing him at his best during the year. A happier new year to all!”

Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios’s slide behind countrymen Alex de Minaur and John Millman on the world rankings is behind his omission from Australia’s team for the ATP Cup.

The on- court wild thing with the increasingly curious off- court sensitivities of a more mild thing will play a regular tour singles event in his only competitive hit before the Australian Open.

He could wreak some havoc at Melbourne Park if his unreliable body is strong and his wandering mind is centred on a job he hasn’t pulled a shift in for nearly a year.

After years of living dangerously, Kyrgios is coming off a year of doing nothing.