Pramod Dabir will probably never compete in the Australian Open, but that doesn’t mean that he does not have plenty of reasons to be excited about the event.

This year, Amer Delic and Rajeev Ram, two of Dabir’s former teammates, competed in the event. Delic played for the Illini from 2000-2003. Ram was also a member of the 2003 NCAA title winning team.

Although only seniors Dabir and Ryler DeHeart were on the title-winning team with Delic and Ram, Illinois assistant coach Kent Kinnear said he feels the former Illini’s appearance at the Australian Open is inspirational for the younger Illini.

Many of the current Illini have similar aspirations to play at the highest professional level.

“The (current Illini) see the other guys there and they know that it is possible if they stay on track and continue to work hard,” Kinnear said. “It’s just such a great thing for the program to have guys playing at that level and encouraging the guys that are here to keep pushing to get to the next level.”

For the second time in his career, Delic reached the second round of singles competition at a Grand Slam event. It is the first time he reached the second round of the main draw at the Australian Open. Delic defeated Italy’s Potito Starace 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to advance to the second round. Last year, Delic competed in the men’s singles qualifying tournament, but lost before reaching the main draw.

Delic lost to Australian Nathan Healey. Healey, who was playing in his seventh Australian Open, topped Delic 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4.

“For Amer, winning his first round match is a big deal,” said Illinois senior Pramod Dabir. “It’s great to see and it’s exciting.”

Ram, who was competing in his first Australian Open, lost during the first round of the doubles competition to 14th-seeded Travis Parrott and Jordan Kerr. Parrott and Kerr handed Ram and Gaston Etlis a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4 loss.

Ram also competed in the qualifying singles tournament, beating 2005 NCAA singles champion Benedikt Dorsch of Germany, before losing to Olivier Patience of France 6-3, 6-4.

“Just being in the Australian Open is impressive,” Dabir said. “It makes you realize that if you put in the work and the effort that you can reach the same level.”