Rafa Nadal has insisted the Australian Open will be a great success – with or without Novak Djokovic. The world No.1 must win a final appeal by the Federal Court of Australia on Sunday to get the chance to win a male record 21st Grand Slam.
But the Spaniard is also seeking to break the tie that he shares with Djokovic and the absent Roger Federer.
Nadal returned to action for the first time since August at the Melbourne Summer Set last week and won his 89th ATP Tour title.
And asked about the Djokovic affair, the 2009 Australian Open winner said: “I tell you one thing, it’s very clear that Novak Djokovic is one of the best players in history, without a doubt.
“But there is no one player in history that’s more important than an event, no? Players come and then go, and other players are coming. No one, even Roger, Novak, myself, Bjorn Borg who was amazing at his times, tennis will keep going.
“The Australian Open is much more important than any player. If he’s playing finally, okay. If he’s not playing, the Australian Open will be a great Australian Open with or without him. That’s…
