From “Martina Navratilova: What Serena Got Wrong”:
Ms. Williams was absolutely marvelous toward Ms. Osaka after the match. A true champion at her best. But during the match — well, enough said. The way Ms. Osaka carried herself both during and after the match was truly inspiring.
So is there a double standard in tennis?
We do need to take a hard look at our sport, without any rose-colored glasses, and root out any inconsistencies and prejudices that might be there. Tennis is a very democratic sport, and we need to make sure it stays that way.
But it is also on individual players to conduct themselves with respect for the sport we love so dearly. Because we all look so forward to the next time Ms. Williams and Ms. Osaka play each other; hopefully the drama will come from their magnificent shots and their fierce competitiveness — two athletes showing us how it is done, inspiring us all in the process.
“The way Ms. Osaka carried herself both during and after the match was truly inspiring”.
It has always been a topic of how to behave among superstars sportsmen, and one could get the attention with his behavior only (minor skills aren’t bad as well) to sign multimillion contracts. Just to name few: Muhammed Ali, Dennis Rodman, David Beckham, etc. etc., but I can’t remember the names of women except Lady Gaga, i.e. am I being a womanizer?
It’s always complicated to say something on this matter, when the name of the tennis herself, Ms. Williams could lose that easily to someone from Japan, isn’t it? The lady of her rank, even her, couldn’t come up with better behavior activity to control her deep emotions, in case one needs more than just the name. If she could hold them inside, and be inspiring in how to lose, and on and on and on… But I can’t tell anything for sure, only thoughts out loud.
I believe one should be on the court to feel what Ms. Williams had been going through, because it’s always hard to lose, even if you are Serena herself.
P.S. As Steve Jobs said, “eventually everything comes to an end.”
