Li Na overcomes shaky first set to beat Cibulkova, win Aussie Open

This win comes with all sorts of consequences. Winning the first major of 2014, Li is well-positioned for the rest of the year. Two majors is generally enough

Jon Wertheim|

This win comes with all sorts of consequences. Winning the first major of 2014, Li is well-positioned for the rest of the year. Two majors is generally enough for enshrinement in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, so Li likely achieved that Saturday. But the macro effects are truly significant. Asia -- and China especially -- is clearly tennis' emerging market. Tournaments are moving there en masse. The WTA will hold its year-end championships in Singapore. This trend is driven largely by Li -- her success, her influence, her appeal. And it got another charge Saturday.

Published Jan 25, 2014 | Modified Jan 25, 2014

JON WERTHEIM

Jon Wertheim is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and has been part of the full-time SI writing staff since 1997, largely focusing on the tennis beat, sports business and social issues, and enterprise journalism. In addition to his work at SI, he is a correspondent for “60 Minutes” and a commentator for The Tennis Channel. He has authored 11 books and has been honored with two Emmys, numerous writing and investigative journalism awards, and the Eugene Scott Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Wertheim is a longtime member of the New York Bar Association (retired), the International Tennis Writers Association and the Writers Guild of America. He has a bachelor’s in history from Yale University and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in New York City and Paris with his wife, who is a divorce mediator and adjunct law professor. They have two children.

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