Eastern Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is defined as ethical, appropriate, polite, fair, and generous behavior while participating in a game or athletic event. Demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship is imperative for all athletes in the USTA Eastern section. On this page, access the "Player Promise" as well as a form to nominate fellow players who treat others with the utmost respect, on and off the court, so that we may celebrate their efforts.

USTA Eastern Sportsmanship Project

In coordination with the Match Tennis App, USTA Eastern is proud to announce a new and improved way to recognize and reward good sportsmanship and fair play at our junior tournaments. The initiative is designed to promote a positive environment for all who participate in tennis. The Sportsmanship Project will reward nominees in the following ways:

• Players who receive five or more nominations will receive a certificate and a refocus band.
• The nominator who submits the most player nominations over the course of the year will receive a branded USTA Eastern beach towel.
• The tournament director whose events have collected the most nominations will receive a backpack.
• All sportsmanship nominations will be submitted to our sportsmanship subcommittee. From this pool, the subcommittee will select one player from each age group to receive Eastern's annual junior sportsmanship award. Recipients will be honored at the annual Eastern Junior Awards Gala, held each year at the US Open. Honorees will receive two US Open grounds passes with access to the Overlook Hospitality Pavillion.
  

See below for more information on how to submit a nomination.

Submit a Nomination

See the 2023 Eastern Junior Sportsmanship Award recipients

Nomination examples: 

"She is a great player who respects other players no matter what level they are. After she wins, she always says nice things to her opponent. She plays fair and honest. It always a fun match when you play her. "

"This player is very kind on and off the court and does not allow court rivalries to affect his rational and good sportsmanship."

USTA Eastern Player Promise

Download and view the full USTA Eastern Player Promise

Every individual playing a sport has the right to feel safe and supported, and should be treated with respect, kindness and dignity.

Like tennis legend Billie Jean King says: "Pressure is a privilege.” And privilege is a resource that can be deployed for the greater good. We pledge to react to pressure and competition with respect, professionalism, courage and compassion. 

Check on one another and ask, "How are you doing?" "How can I help?"

We pledge to inspire and motivate other generations to be champions on and off the court.

We pledge to meet  the challenge to be inclusive because tennis is a sport that embraces all players regardless of ability, age, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

Tennis is a sport that is built on respect. Respect for one another, and for the game itself. We are tennis players, competitors, champions, friends and teammates. 

We are Team Eastern. We are the future.

We will aspire to be champions for tennis.

We will aspire to be champions for each other.