The Australian Open can get along perfectly well without Novak Djokovic, said the 20-time major champion Rafael Nadal, on a day when the world’s leading players bemoaned the distractions caused by Djokovic’s immigration battle.
“I tell you one thing,” said Nadal, with a stern glare. “It's very clear that Novak Djokovic is one of the best players of the history, without a doubt. But there is no one player in history that's more important than an event, no?
As the saga moved into its 12th day, the mood in Melbourne Park was mutinous.