He was nowhere and he was everywhere. Etched into the pavement and lingering in the air, each fragile fragment of an atmosphere carrying resentment and relief and quite a bit in between. Melbourne Park is the home of Novak Djokovic’s hubris, the venue at which he won his very first grand slam and has enjoyed the most success of his career to date.
His psyche – that controversial soul of his – is seared into the seats at Rod Laver Arena, where he has lifted nine singles trophies but will not chase a 10th this year. Now it feels he has been cast as Voldemort, the Dark Lord who must not be named – at least by pretty much every player who is not Serbian.
