Survey: Sportsmanship in Texas Tennis

AUSTIN -- In an effort to continue listening to the wider tennis community and create a more open, positive sport experience, USTA Texas surveyed its members on sportsmanship this summer. Results show high positive ratings, but members want clearer rules and more officials.
 

The new comprehensive survey by USTA Texas reveals that sportsmanship among members is rated highly positive, averaging 3.7 out of 5. Among other results, Sixty-four percent of respondents called for a stronger presence of USTA Officials and clearer rules to improve fair play. These findings will help the organization better understand and address player experience across Texas tennis. 

The survey was developed by the volunteer Sportsmanship Task Force under Chair Otis Sadler and was distributed in early September to gather members' perceptions of sportsmanship, fair play, and player behavior in Texas tennis. 

The survey, which was distributed in early September, asked members to share their perceptions of sportsmanship, fair play, and player behavior on the tennis court.

A few highlights include: 

• The average perception of sportsmanship was very positive (3.7 out of 5, with 5 being excellent). 
• About 64% or respondents said an increased presence of USTA Officials and more clarity defining unsportsmanlike behavior were "very effective" in improving sportsmanship in tennis.
• Women reported lower sportsmanship than men.
• Respondents favored a stronger presence of USTA Officials and rules clarity to help address poor sportsmanship.

Sadler said these survey results are a good jumping-off point for learning more about how to continue educating and expanding the impact of fair play in tennis. 

"Overall, there is a feeling that we are doing well as far as sportsmanship is concerned," he said. "I feel that we still need to gather more information from all the age divisions so that we can make an educated decision on what age groups we need to focus on."