PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) named Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner the 2021 Australian Open Champions. The special recognition was given “for their acts of kindness to and respect for animals on the courts.”
Jannik Sinner impressed the prestigious organization for the fact that during his tense match against Denis Shapovalov, he stopped the play to help a moth that landed on the court. The upcoming Italian was careful in ” maneuvering the insect onto his racket and dropping them off by the chair umpire.”
Need pest control?
Call 1800-@janniksin 🪳📲#AO20201 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/8iWD3GKV1z
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 8, 2021
Naomi had a similar gesture when she interrupted the play during her match against Ons Jabeur to help a butterfly off the court.
PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange commented:
“Sinner and Osaka are champions in PETA’s book for showing kindness and respect to some of the smallest, most vulnerable animals. These aces’ on the ball actions to help insects set an example of compassion for other tennis pros—and their millions of fans—to follow.”
Eventually, Naomi ended up winning also the “real” Australian Open while Jannik lost in that very match against Shapovalov.
Butterflies: HUGE Naomi Osaka fans 🦋
More on the Aussie Open: https://t.co/8UbdNJHkMV https://t.co/PMAO87vseI
— CBC Sports (@cbcsports) February 12, 2021
Jannik Sinner in 2021
Now ranked no.32 (career-high), Sinner played his last match on the 8th of February when he lost to Denis Shapovalov 3-6 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the 1st round of the Australian Open (draw).
Presently, during this year the Italian has an overall 5-1 match record. This year, The Italian won 1 title in Melbourne.
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Now the world no.3, Naomi played her last match on the 20th of February when she beat Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 6th career title.
This season Osaka has achieved an overall 10-0 win-loss record. The Japanese conquered 1 title at the Australian Open.
