Sportsmanship

Two tennis pros at Wimbledon,
Competing stroke for stroke,
Played six hours plus and both
Were going, as they say, for broke.

Of course, at last it had to end;
My favorite, sadly, lost.
The winner, though, acknowledged
What the competition cost.

When interviewed, he shook his head
And then apologized
For seeming less enthused than
The reporter had surmised.

He felt for his opponent,
Knowing that he would have been
As devastated if he hadn't
Held on for the win.

Such humbleness was such a sign
Of well-deserved respect 
And with roles reversed, the same response 
Is what I would expect.