Djokovic’s absence clears way for foes
Nadal, Medvedev eye Australian Open title
MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal’s bid to win a record 21st Grand Slam when the Australian Open begins today has been given a huge boost by the absence of fellow history-chaser Novak Djokovic.
The 20-time Grand Slam winners had been drawn to meet in the semifinal, a prospect torpedoed when the unvaccinated Djokovic lost his last-gasp bid to avoid deportation on the eve of the tournament.
The 34-year-old top seed, who has won eight of the last 11 editions of the Melbourne major, had been scheduled to play today as he sought to retain his title.
Djokovic flew out of Melbourne airport yesterday after losing a court battle over his stance on Covid19 vaccinations.
An AFP reporter aboard the plane confirmed the flight to Dubai had taken off, after capturing images of Djokovic at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport late yesterday.
The world No.1’s humiliation means he will not have the chance to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for a 10th time and make men’s tennis history. Instead he is leaving Australia.
With Roger Federer injured and absent, Nadal and world No.2 Daniil Medvedev are the main beneficiaries of Djokovic’s enforced 11thhour withdrawal.
But others, including Olympic champion Alexander Zverev and Greek world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, will eye a golden opportunity to win a maiden Slam.
“The Australian Open is much more important than any player,” said Nadal on Saturday, taking a swipe at Djokovic.
“Australian Open will be a great Australian Open with or without him.”
It is now 13 years since the 35-yearold Nadal, who begins his campaign against American Marcos Giron today, won his lone title in Melbourne, despite four further trips to the final.
Nadal battled a foot injury for much of last year, ending his season in August, then contracted Covid in December, saying it left him “very sick”.
But the 13-time French Open champion swept through the field to win a warm-up event at Melbourne Park, suggesting he is suffering no longterm effects.
‘IT’S GOING TO BE FUN’
Russia’s Medvedev, who faces Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen in the first round tomorrow, conquered Djokovic in the US Open final in September to win his maiden major and end the Serbian’s bid to win a calendar Grand Slam.
He heads the bottom half of the draw and would not have met Djokovic until the final in any case.
“Even if Novak is in the draw, I can only see him in the final,” said Medvedev, who has cut a confident figure.
“I need to win six matches before this. It would not change much my preparation.”
Germany’s Tokyo gold medallist Zverev is another who will fancy his chances in a draw that suddenly looks open.
“There are still a lot of guys that have the potential to make this tournament really interesting,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a fun one to watch.”
Andy Murray, runner-up in the Australian Open five times, returns on a wild card for the first time since an emotional 2019 “farewell” appearance after undergoing hip surgery that enabled him to make a remarkable comeback.
The 34-year-old Briton will begin his bid against 21st-seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili and the former No.1 is looking more like his old self.