The Australian Open obediently takes place every year.

It’s predictable; during the later weeks of January, the greatest tennis players worldwide assemble in this Pacific stage to play some mean ball.

But those who dismiss the Aussie Open as simply another tournament, another name engraved on a trophy, are sure to be sorely disappointed. In a whirlwind of aces, winners, overhead smashes, fist pumps, and exclamations of triumph, the 2011 Australian Open proved both inspirational and record-breaking; a tournament for the ages.

From January 17 to January 30, the world watched from first serve to championship point as a few hundred contestants set out to kiss the elusive trophy, to hold it high above their heads. When all was said and done, Serbian Novak Djokovic put his lips to the polished metal of the men’s trophy while Belgian Kim Clijsters raised her’s in victory.
In three straight sets, Novak, or “Nole” as his fans affectionately dub him, tidily defeated Brit Andy Murray, longtime rival and good friend.

Novak’s path to the championship match was a testament to how hard he has worked over the years, which the scores of his early round matches reveal. His training has been extensive and his work ethic steely. After the US Open late in the fall of 2010, Novak took no time off and resumed preparation for the Australian Open, which paid off tremendously.
Furthermore, Nole, world number three, is a player who is so easy to like. His charming personality and sense of humor, coupled with his adept athleticism and nearly seamless game provide juniors worldwide with a positive role model to emulate.

Novak is also given far too little credit on tour. When people think of professional tennis, they generally imagine Roger Federer gliding across the court, or Rafael Nadal’s signature biceps and wicked spin.

While Fed and Rafa have a combined 21 Grand Slam titles, Nole weighs in at just two Major wins. And this is what makes his win in Melbourne in late January so much sweeter. It was both relieving and pride-evoking to see Djokovic and Murray, who is also underrated and has not yet won a Major, duke it out in a Major championship, a seemingly fresh set of faces for a tennis scene constantly dominated by Federer and Nadal.

As if a cherry on top of Djokovic and Murray’s half-and-half milkshake, Djokovic defeated Federer in straight sets in the semifinal, while Murray took down Ferrer, a Spaniard who had defeated Nadal in the previous round. While I still genuinely respect both Fed and Rafa, it is inspiring to see the underdog pull through every now and then to highlight talent otherwise left in the quarter or semifinals.

Turning to the women’s side of the Australian Open, Clijsters rallied back from a set deficit to defeat Li Na in three sets, collecting her fourth Grand Slam title.

While Clijsters won the championship, it was Li Na who stole the hearts of both the Australian public and tennis fans worldwide.

Na, world number nine before the Aussie Open, had already amassed considerable success before her record-breaking 2011 Major. But in the first month of the new year, Na’s flat, hard-struck forehand propelled her to a new international ranking, newfound fame in the world, and a permanent place in the history books.

She became the first Chinese woman to reach a semifinal and final of a Grand Slam tournament. Her journey to the championship match earned her the number seven spot in the world. And Na’s playfully sarcastic interviews and affectionate sense of humor branded her image in the memories of fans.

If that’s not enough, Na defeated world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals to advance. Ironically, Na had defeated Clijsters, 7-6, 6-3, in the final of a pro circuit tournament a few weeks prior to the 2011 Aussie Open in Sydney, Australia.

Although Na could not muster her first Grand Slam title under the pressure of the spotlight in the Pacific stage, her breakthrough this year foretells a very successful and competitive year.

Like the men’s final between Novak and Murray, the Li Na and Clijsters match brought a fresh spin to a game where a select few individuals often reign.

Tennis fans around the world will be pleased in a few months when Roland Garros, the French Open in Paris, rolls around.