A grand slam accustomed to the iron rule of Novak Djokovic will emerge blinking into a brave new world on Monday as rivals jostle to fill the power vacuum left by the Serbian superstar at the Australian Open.

The winner of a record nine titles at Melbourne Park, including the last three in succession, Djokovic’s hopes of continuing his dynasty and claiming a record 21st grand slam title lay in ruins on Sunday after he lost a court case to stay in the country.

Many Australians will be glad to be rid of an athlete who had become a hero of the anti-vaccination movement, while players will be relieved the spotlight can shift back to tennis. But the loss of the world No. 1 is a blow for a men’s tournament which was already lacking star power after the withdrawals of Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem.

Djokovic’s exit from Australia may have major repercussions for his tennis career but for the players left in Melbourne it is a golden opportunity. None may be more pleased than sixth seed Rafael Nadal, who remains level with the Serbian and Federer on 20 grand slam titles.

The 2009 winner and four-time finalist, Nadal is the only Australian Open champion left in the draw.

Should Nadal survive a possible quarter final against third seed Alexander Zverev, the highest seed he could meet in the semis is seventh-ranked Italian Matteo Berrettini. Nadal will still have his work cut out, though.

The leading lights of the next generation have gradually worn the Spaniard down on hard courts in recent years, and a number of them will feel their time has come in Melbourne.

Second seed Daniil Medvedev could prove a major obstacle for the Spaniard’s hopes of stealing a march in the grand slam title race. Long marked for grand slam success, Zverev will feel he is due for a breakthrough. Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will be another desperate to make hay while Djokovic is away.

Barty favourite

Among women, Ashleigh Barty is in prime position to end Australia’s lengthy wait for a home winner but defending champion Naomi Osaka and a host of others will be out to spoil the party for the world No.1.

No Australian has won the Melbourne Park major since Chris O’Neill in 1978 and the 25-year-old Queenslander will be desperate to add the hardcourt title to her French Open win on clay and Wimbledon success on grass.

Other than Osaka, the women’s field also features several other grand slam winners including US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

Indian angle

Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok have been seeded 12th in women’s doubles and have been pitted against Slovenia’s strong singles players Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek in their opener. In the men’s doubles, Rohan Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin have been placed in the bottom half of the draw where they will play Indonesia’s Christopher Rungkat and Philippines’ Treat Huey in their opening match.