Fifty parting thoughts from the Australian Open

• Let's also consider the fans. Never mind the notion that fans come because they want to watch elite athletes play their best, not to stagger around the

Fifty parting thoughts from the Australian Open

No. 8 Stanislas Wawrinka and No. 4 Li Na both won their first Australian Open titles. — No. 8 Stanislas Wawrinka and No. 4 Li Na both won their first Australian Open titles / Getty Images

• Let's also consider the fans. Never mind the notion that fans come because they want to watch elite athletes play their best, not to stagger around the court, clearly compromised, before cooling off with ice vests during breaks. Permitting play was dangerous to the spectators, too.

Serena Williams lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open for the second time in three years. — Serena Williams lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open for the second time in three years :: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Maria Sharapova lost to Dominika Cibulkova in the fourth round of the Australian Open. — Maria Sharapova lost to Dominika Cibulkova in the fourth round of the Australian Open :: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

• An unsolicited marketing tip for the folks in television: What's to prevent you from selling sponsorship to a particular round? "In our first Morgan Stanley quarterfinal, Azarenka will play Radwanska for a shot at the Beef 'O' Brady's semifinals."

No. 119 Stephane Robert made the fourth round as a lucky loser. — No. 119 Stephane Robert made the fourth round as a lucky loser :: Mal Fairclough/AFP/Getty Images

• Thanks, everyone, for the emails and tweets. That was good fun. Nothing like geeking out on tennis for two weeks. Back to my day job now, but we'll do it again soon.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Published Jan 26, 2014 | Modified Jan 26, 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.

Follow jon_wertheim