We are respectful of opponents and never take ourselves so seriously as to confuse recreation with nationalistic undertones of politics, religion and culture. In theory anyway.

If we win we grin. If we lose we do so gracefully. We were graceful in defeat by the All Blacks and we grinned like Cheshire cats when we beat New Zealand in netball at the weekend.

Tennis has always had its prima donnas like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors in the US. Recently we've stumped up with our own super brats Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios - young talent and young hot heads.

The mass booing of Adam Goodes, even if not racially based, is hardly good sportsmanship. No one deserves such belligerence every time they run on to a sports field.

Australians have been traditionally discerning, in keeping politics and social issues like racism or religion away from sport. We are a sports mad country. We love the outdoors, and the egalitarian notion of a fair go is embedded in our psyche, just like the notion of fair play.

We usually don't riot in the streets after a big match or trash the rival's neighbourhood. We don't confuse the clash of sport with the confrontation of ideas and ideology.

That is why superstars like Tomic and Kyrgios ought to clam up and let their rackets do the talking. They have the capacity to be world famous superstars and become incredibly rich, if only they would relax, get over themselves and behave like Australians usually behave.

Kathy Freeman knew how, when she adorned herself with the Australian and Aboriginal flags at the 2000 Sydney Olympics

It is also why footy fans ought to appreciate our champions. Adam Goodes is an Australian champion and the nation demands that he be treated like one.