March League Winners Show Great Sportmanship

Yes, tennis matches get very competitive when down to the wire. No, that does not mean one should lose sight of what matters—how you play the game. 

Two people, who were nominated and selected for USTA Missouri Valley league awards in March, exemplify what it means to do the right thing always—even when a match is on the line.

Ask Robyn Bradbury. An opponent nominated the 3.5 player for the award—and it was that kind of match. A tiebreak to decide things. The opponent had given herself one less point before the serve. Bradbury stopped the opponent before the serve to voice the correction. Her opponent—Patty O’Connell—could not believe what she was hearing.

“I thought it was so cool of her to speak up,” O’Connell said. “What great sportsmanship!”

Bradbury played basketball growing up and has since turned to tennis in her adult life. She said without sportsmanship tennis really isn’t a whole lot of fun. Her eldest son has even gotten into the sport. She believes tennis is the kind of game the entire family can play.

“I play tennis for fun and exercise—and without the sportsmanship, tennis isn’t fun,” Bradbury said. “The best matches are when you can have a fun and competitive match with your opponent. While I hate to lose, I’d much rather be friendly, honest and fun!”

Joe Heitz echoes many of Bradbury’s sentiments. He is relatively new to the game, having just started playing about six months ago. He loves tennis because of the ability to play with his dad and to meet new people. 

While he loves the spirit of competition, to Heitz, sportsmanship is about keeping the game simple.

“Sportsmanship is so important because it keeps the game fun, competitive and lighthearted.”

During the COVID-19 outbreak, Heitz has been able to stay active through another sport he heartily enjoys—golf.