In fact, on both tours the post-match ritual has emerged in recent times as proof of excellent sportsmanship, along with a passing fair grasp of good public relations. The standard reaction after most matches ranges from the kind of pro forma handshake you might exchange with the guy who just sold you a car, to a heartfelt embrace and prolonged tete-a-tete that can range from touching to mawkish.
“There’s kind of a hug almost, especially if you get along with the person,” said the Australian Open’s No. 2 seed, Alexander Zverev. “But I’ve had one or two moments myself where the handshake maybe wasn’t great.
Zheng Qinwen, last year’s runner-up in Melbourne and the No. 5 seed this year, doesn’t like to go overboard in either direction after a match. She’s also the kind of truth-teller who makes tennis officials nervous.
“Doesn’t matter if I win or I lost,” she told the media. “I always give a handshake, but not always a handshake with a smiley face. I don’t often give a hug to my opponent because I feel that is not necessary for me. I come just here for play a match. If I lost, I will give you just a basic respect and that’s it.”
