Is it bad sportsmanship to decline rematch?

Everyone should be free to accept a rematch. However, there is another point that annoys me about rematch requests: i usually receive requests from people who *beat* me, and find that quite offending. I would recommend that chess.com enable the rematch request only for the player who lost and, of course, for both players if it was a draw. Some winners who requested remtches from me claimed they were 'offering' or 'granting' a rematch, but I suppose anyone who longs to re-play against the one they just beat is simply looking for easy points to gain.

Again: Rematch requests should be the exclusive right of losers (or, of course, after a draw).

Can you expand ?

I have to say that after a game, sometimes I see the request for a rematch. However, I need to recuperate after a game with high tension. So I never accept a rematch. It's not personal. Do you see this as rude?

chesskovska, you are absolutely correct ! Rematch is an *option*, not an obligation.

Why will there be decline option then?

Its not, it never was, and it never will be.

It's not rude at all to offer rematches regardless of if you win or not, just don't think too much into it. 

Is it that hard to just... deny the rematch request?  There's no reason to make the option unavailable.  No one is forcing you to accept.  It doesn't bother me if someone beats me and requests a rematch.  I can deny if I want.  And maybe they just enjoyed playing with me and want to do it again?  Maybe the game was close and they thought we were equally-matched opponents?  Unless perhaps there is a very large difference in ratings, then there are many reasons a winner would request a rematch besides just "simply looking for easy points to gain".  It's not something to take offense at.  Disabling the ability for winners to request a rematch seems like nanny state-type ideology to me.

I think so no.

How do you ever make money playing poker if you have to keep playing whenever you're ahead?  You are supposed to keep playing until you aren't ahead anymore..?  I thought the "wise" advice when it comes to casinos is that you're supposed to "quit while you're ahead."

This is exactly why I don't accept rematches.  As I get older I need a 5 or 10 minute break after a hard fought game.

here's a fun post on that topic:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/rematch-crybabies

Its like when people moan you take two and a half days to make a move in a three day game, same crybabies. If they did not want me to take up to three days they should have played in a one day or rapid style game/tournament. I take a lot of meds, there are times when I struggle to make a coffee never mind a move in chess!! Rematch is an option.

Very relatable. There was one 1000 rated player who kept challenging me so I had to block him lol

Now that my mute is over I can finally respond to this...(again)

Declining rematches are perfectly fine; I do it all the time.