Djokovic drama delays start of Australian Open

 

The draw for the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam was delayed for 75 minutes on Thursday with the participation of world number one Novak Djokovic under threat over a visa saga.

“We’ve had a delay,” a Tennis Australia spokesperson told AFP after the draw for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, originally scheduled for 15:00 (06:00 SA time) at Melbourne Park, did not take place.

Organizers later said it would begin at 16:15 (07:15 SA time), with no explanation given for the hold-up.

Top seed Djokovic is looking to clinch a 10th title at Melbourne Park and a record 21st Grand Slam crown, but it remains to be seen if he will be deported.