MELBOURNE – An Australian Open like no other began in controversy with the deportation of Novak Djokovic but culminated in one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history by Rafael Nadal on Sunday.
Throw in Ashleigh Barty becoming the first home winner for 44 years, and local heroes Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis winning the men’s doubles, this was a Grand Slam that will live long in the memory for myriad reasons.
After the chaos that preceded the tournament, Tennis Australia couldn’t have dreamt of a happier ending — and it was one they desperately needed, after a competition riddled with unforced errors on the organisers’ parts.
It began with the spectacle…
