Spectators were looking for a battle. Instead, they got hugs.
The setting was the much anticipated showdown Saturday night between Coco Gauff, who at 15 is being hailed as the heir apparent to Serena Williams, and Naomi Osaka, last years U.S. Open tennis champion.
In truth, it wasnt much of a match. Gauffs game was off and Osaka squelched every attempt at a comeback.
Gauff felt humiliated not only by the second set goose egg, but that she had failed to live up to out-sized expectations.
For the latter, blame the media. Ever since she made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon this summer, the spotlight has been on the teen sensation. When she advanced Thursday to the third round, every sports commentator had dissected her game, inside-out. Her weakness a strong Western grip would need to change, they prophesied.
Youd think Saturday nights game staged before 25,000 spectators and broadcast as the nights main feature on ESPN was the finals.
So when Gauff lost, she broke down.
There to pick up the pieces was her opponent.
Instead of basking in her victory, Osaka, age 21, walked around the net to give the teen a hug. Better yet, she invited her to participate in the televised post-match interview to help her work through her emotions.
Osakas gracious act shows she knows the difference between a competition and life. On the court, yes, you give it your all. But once the game is over, the bigger picture is to be a decent and compassionate human being.
Osaka saluted Gauffs parents for their commitment to supporting their daughters aspirations. You guys raised an amazing daughter, she told them.
When she had regained her composure, Gauff said she had initially deferred Osakas gesture to share the after-match interview, saying she didnt want to steal her thunder.
No matter where their tennis careers take them, Osaka and Gauff will never forget that exchange.
Nor should we.
Win or lose, champions do it with grace.
Susan Lynn
