Naomi Osaka consoles Coco Gauff at the 2019 US Open
Winning and losing are the same to a good sport
There was some appalling poor sportspersonship on display at the 2020 US Open. There were also plenty of players to admire.
Bad Sports. Most of this is John McEnroe's fault. I will try to be a good sport about this. We are all doing the best we can.
Djokovic, angry about having his serve broken, hits a ball into a lines person's throat. Then complains about being ejected because "she didn't even go to the hospital."
Alex De Minaur destroyed a racquet after losing eight games in a row.
After Pironkova rallied to take the first set with a backhand winner, Muguruza smacked her racquet against the court, breaking off the racket head. Muguruza was left with the racket handle in her hand.
Marta Kostyuk was visibly upset, hitting her racquet on the court, and loudly complaining to her Mother every time she lost a point playing Naomi Osaka.
Naomi Osaka, hit her racquet on a lost point and threw it across the court on another. Seemingly in response to her opponents poor sportspersonship in the same match - Marta Kostyuk. I am still in shock.
Good Sports. Players to admire.
Matteo Berrettini - He lost to Rublev, but wanted to help his super-fan Giovanni Bartocci rebuild his restaurant after it burned down.
Tsvetana Pironkova - Played her heart out as Serena Williams over-powered her. No complaining, challenging line calls, negative body language, fist pumping, screaming, grunting, looking at the coach, cursing, or yelling. She smiled and nodded to Serena at the end of the match. Total class.
Sofia Kenin - Mertens blew away the #2 seed. Despite playing poorly, Kenin was all class. She showed no anger. She never gave up. She made no excuses.
Anett Kontaveit - During straight set losses to Osaka, Anett was calm, determined, and downright charming. This was a master class in sportspersonship from the first shot to the last. Grace under pressure.
