SPORTSMANSHIP’S PRESENCE IN SOCAL

In every sport, but especially in tennis, where fair play and making critical decisions can directly impact the outcome of a match, sportsmanship has never been more important. The prominence of fair play and ethical conduct is at the forefront, not just as a lesson for athletes, but as a cornerstone of the entire game. For USTA’s Southern California section, sportsmanship has always been a driving force, and continues to shape the community of players, coaches, parents, tournament directors and officials. Observed annually on the first Tuesday of March, National Sportsmanship Day serves as a reminder of the values that make athletes and individuals alike true representatives of integrity and respect.

Within the section, we are constantly emphasizing the significance of sportsmanship both on and off the court, starting from the grassroots levels and continuing as players progress through junior, high school, college, and even professional circuits. Southern California takes immense pride in developing athletes who not only display exceptional skill, but also exemplify outstanding behavior in their matches, both at the local levels as well as all across the United States as proud members of Team SoCal.

While sportsmanship is a key building block for young players, it’s equally as important for adults and especially those that are parents, coaches and respected officials. In both life and in sports, adults set the standard on how one should behave, oftentimes through their actions which children will naturally imitate. The behaviors modeled off the court influence how players act on it, and these positive behaviors can extend beyond the tennis court, shaping how athletes interact in all aspects of life.

In SoCal, we encourage parents to set the example by creating a supportive and positive environment for young players and ask of coaches to stress the importance of sportsmanship alongside the development of strokes and strategy, all the while empowering our players to accept both victory and defeat with equal grace and dignity, always treating their opponents with fairness and courtesy.

THE ULTIMATE SPORTSMANSHIP CHALLENGE

In an effort to further encourage and recognize juniors that display good sportsmanship, USTA SoCal launched the Ultimate Sportsmanship Challenge in 2023. A yearly contest, this challenge was created to reward players who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship, with the ultimate aim of fostering a more positive and respectful tournament atmosphere for everyone involved. This year, the challenge began on May 11, 2024 and recently concluded on February 23, 2025. Between that period of time, players, parents, tournament staff, and coaches were encouraged to nominate up to three players at each USTA Southern California tournament who exhibited exceptional sportsmanship during the contest period. 

Any Southern California player who participated in USTA L3-L7 or Junior Circuit tournaments within the section during the designated contest period was eligible to enter, with prizes awarded both quarterly and at the conclusion of the challenge. Each quarter, the top female and male players with the most nominations received a $100 Tennis Warehouse gift certificate. The overall winners at the end of the challenge earned a BNP Paribas Open Grand Prize, which included two tickets to the BNP Paribas Open and a complimentary one-night hotel stay for two.

As Q3 came to a close, the section was proud to recognize Lillian Chhiv (Irvine) and Hannah Hwang (Irvine) for the girls, and Imangali Kanat (Los Angeles) and Peter Maldonado (Beverly Hills) for the boys, as there was a two-way tie for both categories. With the conclusion of Q3, the overall contest also wrapped up. We are excited to announce Mika Wei (San Diego) and Jaden Joyner (Tarzana) as the overall winners of the challenge. These six remarkable athletes consistently demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, setting a high standard for behavior and serving as exemplary role models for others to follow in the future.

As overall winners of the Ultimate Sportsmanship Challenge, Mika and Jaden stand out as pillars of what it means to embody the spirit of sportsmanship. For Jaden, sportsmanship has been instilled in him from a young age, and at only eleven years old, he is already a strong representative of the values that the USTA SoCal community seeks to cultivate. Jaden’s commitment to fair play and respect for others, regardless of the match outcome, demonstrates the true spirit of a seasoned athlete. He explains that to him, sportsmanship means “mainly being respectful and nice,” and he encourages others to understand that it’s okay not to have a perfect performance every day. Through his positivity and approachability, Jaden makes it clear that it’s all about treating others the way you would want to be treated, both in victory and defeat. He cites his inspiration for good sportsmanship and his behavior on court to Rafael Nadal, who is regarded as a role model for the way he would treat everyone equally and with kindness. 

Jaden’s ability to stay calm, especially in high-pressure situations, is a testament to his understanding of sportsmanship. The most valuable lesson in sportsmanship that he has learned is to always “stay in touch with your emotions and always be positive until the end,” he says. Even when losing, Jaden’s attitude is infectious, and has even begged the question from opponents of how he can remain so positive in difficult situations.

For Mika, sportsmanship is about honesty, respect, and kindness. At twelve years old, she believes that “sportsmanship means being honest with both your opponent and yourself, always showing respect, and treating others with kindness, both on and off the court.” Mika demonstrates this by treating everyone equally with the same care and respect. “I encourage other players to practice good sportsmanship by creating an environment where the outcome is always positive, as I’m constantly surrounded by warm smiles and a joyful atmosphere,” she mentioned. Mika’s approach to sportsmanship emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and ensuring that no one feels demoralized or excluded. “The key qualities of a good sportsman are maintaining a positive attitude towards everyone and ensuring that no one feels discouraged or left behind,” she adds.

Her role model is Carlos Alcaraz, who she admires for his respect and courtesy during long points. Her mother has also been a major influence on her understanding of sportsmanship, as Mika learned the importance of fairness from her mother’s kind and empathetic ways. 

In the lives of these two young tennis prodigies, sportsmanship is more than just a principle they’ve learned and adopted, it’s a way of life. Their dedication to treating others with fairness and respect sets a powerful example for young athletes everywhere. Jaden and Mika have rightfully earned their status as role models in the tennis community, and they’ve done so at an impressively young age. Their actions embody what it truly means to be a champion in every sense of the word.

As they look forward to their upcoming trip to the BNP Paribas Open, they both share a sense of excitement about witnessing the incredible talent on display in the desert, along with the hope that they too will one day play on the same courts where their idols have shone.

“I am looking forward to all of the delicious food and drinks that I’ll be able to enjoy whilst watching and learning about the professional matchplay,” shared Mika. “I have been to BNP and I always had an exquisite time there with my friends and family!”