Tennis Temper Tantrums (Breather Episode with Brad)

This show is an interesting compare and contrast to my earlier breather show about the Japanese men’s World Cup soccer team, and the evolved competitive spirit of doryoku (“honor in the effort”) that is a central element of Japanese sports culture.

In America, we have the win at all cost ideal that can often run amok and reveal as disgraceful behavior by our champion athletes. Tennis players have long been known for on-court tantrums. Granted, it’s a tough environment with the 1:1 nature of the battle and the fans breathing down your neck. John McEnroe, king of tantrums, revealed that his antics help him turn up his competitive intensity and killer instinct in matches. Don’t try this at home!

At the recent US Open Tennis Championship female final, tennis legend Serena Williams came unglued and melted down en route to her loss to a young underdog named Naomi Osaka. Osaka represents Japan but hails from New York. I criticize Serena for disgracing the sport and also have some harsh words for the notoriously rowdy US Open tennis fans (event is always held in Flushing Meadow, NY). They booed during the awards ceremony, ostensibly in support of Serena’s disappointment with the match umpire. The whole scene was a disgrace to the sport of tennis and disrespectful to the great performance of Osaka. Serena does get some credit for trying to reign things in, urging the crowd to stop booing during the awards ceremony and graciously congratulating Osaka. But none of this would have happened had she been able to control her competitive emotions a bit during the match. Billie Jean King, great champion of gender equality notwithstanding, weigh’s in with breezy and poorly timed commentary that taints what she stands for. Yes, Billie Jean and Serena make a good point that male players seem to get away with more without sanction, but when Billie Jean makes a scene, she should remember Michael Jackson’s strong advice, and remember to always think twice (“don’t think twice, do think twice!”)

At least I end on a high note, celebrating the composure and grace displayed by Osaka during the awards ceremony, where she bowed to Serena and thanked her for the opportunity to play the match. Reminds me of the Japanese soccer team. It’s great to see a young player with a healthy competitive mindset become a champion! Maybe hyper-competitive, over-pressurized youth sports coaches and parents can take notice, get over themselves, and focus on the honor in the effort.

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