"That is how you lose a match gracefully": Fans on social media praise Coco Gauff for reaction after losing Madrid Open final

Fans on social media have praised America's young tennis star Coco Gauff for her reaction after the defeat in the final of the Madrid Open. The 21-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category, suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the recently concluded WTA 1000 event in the Spanish capital to the reigning world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6.

After the defeat, Gauff not only congratulated the current top-ranked player in the world, but the two also shared a light-hearted moment as they posed together with their trophies and a bottle of champagne. That gesture did not go unnoticed as fans on the social media platform X — previously known as Twitter — praised the American tennis star for the way she took the defeat in one of the biggest competitions in women’s tennis.

“Now that is how you lose a match gracefully. Class act Coco! Congratulations to Sabalenka,” one fan wrote. “Gauff remains graceful either winning or losing a game,” with a third writing: “Gauff is a class act,” wrote another fan. “I say this all the time but this young woman was raised well. Graciousness personified,” wrote by the third fan.

Talking after the match, Gauff was full of praise for Sabalenka, who, according to her, is ‘getting better at everything’. “I feel like she just got a lot better in everything,” said Gauff as quoted by WTA’s official website. “I think she is probably more confident, so that’s why the consistent results are happening. I’d like to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ to be here and the opportunity to play in the final. I would like to congratulate Aryna on an incredible tournament. You’re always tough to face. Congrats to your team. The last.. well you’re always doing well. but the last 4 straight finals I think. Congrats on all the success you’ve been having.”