A compliment from a rival means something because they had every reason not to give it. Give those too.

A compliment from somebody who wanted to beat you carries information a friend’s cannot. They had every incentive to say nothing, so the fact that it got said means it got past their own interest in not seeing you do well. That is why one sentence from an opponent can outlast a season of encouragement.

Give one this week to the player or the team that beat you, specifically and before you leave. Name what they actually did instead of saying good game. It costs you nothing you needed, and they will remember it longer than the score.