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In early January of 2016, the city of Perth in Western Australia hosted the annual Hopman Cup which lured some of the world’s most elite tennis players Down Under to try and capture their first tournament win of the new year.
Little did the spectators know they would see something about as rare as a Grand Slam.
American Jack Sock was there, and in one of the matches, was paired against former world #1 – and Aussie native – Lleyton Hewitt. At one point during the second set, the 23-year-old American found himself down 30-0 to the Australian veteran who has been known to serve the ball at the blinding speed of 130mph.
With intense concentration, Hewitt tossed the ball into the air, and then delivered a crushing serve down the sideline. As soon as the ball ricocheted off the court surface, the referee called out “fault” indicating that the ball had landed out of bounds. The commentators immediately continued their discussion of the match, but then noticed that something strange was interrupting play on the court. Sock was trying to give his opponent some advice.
“That was in if you want to challenge it,” said the American with a grin on his face.
The crowd, who could hear what Sock had said to his competitor, began to chuckle a bit. Cameras immediately panned to Hewitt, who had a comical look of disbelief on his face. Was this a clever ruse by Sock to get him to make an incorrect challenge? Was he being serious? Why would my opponent try and help me? The referee was even perplexed; looking to Sock he asked, “Really?”
Sock didn’t back down. With a bigger smile, and in an even more confident voice, he to Hewitt, “Challenge it!” His mind racing, Hewitt started walking toward the net, looking back and forth between the ref and Sock. After several seconds, he agreed to the challenge and the crowd burst into laughter. They got even more boisterous when the ref announced over the PA system in his best “I-can’t-believe-this-is-actually-happening” voice that Hewitt would be challenging the call.
A few moments later, instant replay screens in the arena confirmed that the ball had, in fact, struck the line and was in bounds. Point, Hewitt! The crowd erupted in elation for their hometown hero…and the Yank who played with honesty.
The set continued, and the match eventually came to an end. Those sitting in the arena as well as those watching from around the world wondered if the universe would reward Jack Sock for his incredible display of sportsmanship and integrity. But it would not be.
After rightfully giving the point to Hewitt, Sock ended up losing in the end…by one point. Some said that Sock lost the match but won our hearts.
Today’s sporting culture needs more athletes like Jack Sock. Winning is definitely important, but not as important as character.
Click here for the online report.
TOPICS ILLUSTRATED INCLUDE:
Advice
Athlete
Character
Competition
Honesty
Integrity
Sports
Tennis
Truth
Win
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
