Australian Open draw delayed amid Djokovic saga

MELBOURNE – The draw for the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam was delayed for 75 minutes Thursday with the participation of World No. 1 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 3 p.m. (0400 GMT) at Melbourne Park, did not take place.

Organizers later said it would begin at 4:15 p.m., 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. 

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal, seeded six, is also targeting a 21st Slam title.

Australia's Ashleigh Barty is the women's top seed.