On Thursday night, Angelique Kerber won her semifinal match and secured the No. 1 spot in women’s tennis.
To top it off, she was named its top sportswoman as well.
Photo – Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of the USTA Katrina Adams, Angelique Kerber and Chair of the US Open Sportsmanship Awards Selection Committee Lars Rosene pose for a photo during the award presentation for the 2016 US Open Sportsmanship Award at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY. (Jennifer Pottheiser/USTA)
Kerber was awarded the fifth annual US Open Sportsmanship Award.
The Award is presented to professional tennis players who best demonstrate excellence in sportsmanship throughout the Emirates Airline US Open Series and the US Open.
Kerber joins Kei Nishikori as the 2016 US Open Sportsmanship Award winners.
“Angelique and Kei each set an incredible standard of professionalism every time they take the court,” said USTA President Katrina Adams.
“They’re both class competitors whose success is matched only by their tact, and so we couldn’t be happier to honor each of them with US Open Sportsmanship Awards.”
The USTA started a Sportsmanship Committee in 2011.
Its charge is to “educate and inspire youngsters and their parents to develop and exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship and an attitude of fair play and mutual respect on and off the tennis court.
“Underlying the charge is the ethical imperative that fairness is more important than winning.”
The USTA Sportsmanship Award Selection Committee is comprised of USTA representatives, former players and journalists.
These include co-chairs Todd Martin and Lars Rosene, Jon Vegosen, Mary Carillo, Mary Joe Fernandez, Chanda Rubin, Joel Drucker, Steve Flink and Matt Cronin.
Eligibility requirements for winners include participating in at least two Series tournaments, as well as the 2016 US Open.
Each US Open Sportsmanship Award winner receives a trophy and a $5,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice.
Past winners include Venus Williams and Kevin Anderson (2015), Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki (2014), Li Na and David Ferrer (2013) and Bob and Mike Bryan and Samantha Stosur (2012).
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