The Australian Open, tennis’ first grand slam played each year in Melbourne Park, was full of confusion, excitement, history, and domination. 

The news began prior to the tournament with growing concerns over the coronavirus, especially in the midst of the global spread of the Omicron variant, compounded with world No. 1 and presumptive favorite Novak Djokovic’s anti-vaccination stance.  Djokovic’s saga began in Dec. 2021 when he tested positive for COVID.  He flew to Australia on Jan. 5 with the understanding that he received an exemption, based on his recent COVID case, to play the Australian Open without having been vaccinated.  However, upon arrival from his home country Serbia, he was detained by the Australian Border Forces, who referred to rules that all entrants into the nation must be vaccinated.  Eventually, through a series of failed visa applications and a lost court appeal, Djokovic returned to Serbia on Jan. 17. 

The Australian court that confirmed Djokovic’s deportation stated, “The possible influence on the second group comes from common sense and human experience: An iconic world tennis star may influence people of all ages, young or old, but perhaps especially the young and the impressionable, to emulate him.  This is not fanciful; it does not need evidence.”

The terms of deportation include the possibility of a three-year ban, but the length could be shortened depending on Djokovic’s application for reinstatement.  As a result, before the Australian Open even began on Jan. 17, the nine-time and defending champion was removed from the bracket.

“I think Djokovic is really risking his legacy by not getting the COVID vaccine because he may not be allowed to play future Grand Slam tournaments,” says senior Talya Pecullan.

Despite a rocky start, once the action began down under, the tournament was full of wonderful surprises and success stories.  Some highlights include France’s  Alize Cornet making her first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance in her 63rd career Grand Slam tournament, two young American men reaching the fourth round in twentieth-ranked Taylor Fritz and Maxime Cressy, and the success of two American women in Madison Keys reaching the semifinals and twenty-seventh-ranked Danielle Collins reaching her maiden final.

“The future of American tennis is bright, and I am excited to watch these players continue to blossom into stars,” says freshman Brian Barr.

However, the stars of the tournament proved to be men’s singles champion Rafael Nadal from Spain and women’s singles champion Ashleigh Barty from Australia.

For Nadal, it was his record-breaking twenty-first major title, breaking a previous three-person tie with Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Djokovic, and himself.  Nadal defeated the second-ranked Daniil Medvedev of Russia, 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, in a thrilling five-hour-and-24-minute match.  Relying on his decades of experience, Nadal pulled off the impossible, coming back from two sets and a break down to win the championship.  He made a tactical change, attempting to play more offensively and successfully shortening points in the third set, which shifted the course of the match.

“A month and a half ago I didn’t know if I would play tennis again at a professional level due to various factors, including the problems I’ve had with my foot and with COVID,” said Nadal to CBS Sports.

On the women’s side, hometown favorite Barty cruised through the tournament without dropping a set, becoming the first Australian woman to win the tournament since Christine O’Neil in 1978.  In the final, she defeated the American Collins, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), coming back from a 5-1 deficit in the second set.  Barty’s groundstrokes were impressive and her serve was unreturnable at times, capping off a wonderful start to her year.

“This is just a dream come true for me and I’m so proud to be an Aussie,” said Barty to

CBS Sports. The two-week tournament was full of high-level  tennis and the season continues with play on the red clay courts leading up to the French Open.