More Than a Trophy: How Sportsmanship Shapes
Character On and Off the Court

A crucial component of tennis, and a crucial component of all sports really, is sportsmanship. In tennis, sportsmanship can take many forms: accepting a loss gracefully, being honest about line calls, or fostering a positive environment through kind words and actions. Actions like these are significant because they help set the tone on the court. When a player displays good sportsmanship it elevates the game of tennis making it more enjoyable to play and compete. In contrast, poor sportsmanship can sometimes poison the game by making it into a competition of petty grievances and slights.

For this reason, it is important that tennis players, regardless of age and skill level, do their best to embody good sportsmanship values such as empathy, accountability, and grace under pressure. Even more critically, these values also help benefit players off the tennis court in a variety of situations whether it be school, work, or interpersonal relationships. Sophia Dumitrascu, a top junior tennis player from Yorba Linda said it best: “Sportsmanship goes beyond the court—it’s a heartfelt lesson that molds you into a better person, both in the game and throughout life’s journey.”

How Sportsmanship Shapes Character: On the Court

The effects of good sportsmanship are first evident in a player’s behavior on the tennis court. There are a multitude of examples of sportsmanship in the sport of tennis. Whether it be losing gracefully, being honest about line calls, speaking respectfully to opponents or being supportive of other players all are instances where one utilizes good sportsmanship.

Displaying good sportsmanship is very beneficial to both the individual athlete and the other players on the court. For the athlete, it helps encourage good values like empathy, accountability, and grace under pressure. Values such as these help an athlete maintain a positive mindset and encourage them to focus during a match. Athletes who display poor sportsmanship often struggle with the mental game as evidenced by failures to control their emotions and other unsportsmanlike conduct. An athlete displaying good sportsmanship is beneficial to other players as well, since it helps promote a positive, enjoyable, competitive atmosphere where each player tries to win each point in an effort to better themselves and their game. This is acknowledged by excellent young tennis players from USTA Southern California like Mia Sandblom, an eighth grader from Manhattan Beach, who noted that when both players display good sportsmanship, “we can focus on playing great tennis, becoming better tennis players, and don’t have to spend energy and time on arguing about bad calls or scores.” On the other hand, when a player has poor sportsmanship, it can create a toxic atmosphere that affects everyone involved, including other athletes.

For these reasons, it is important that the coaches and parents of young tennis players teach them good sportsmanship and the importance of values that help build confidence, integrity, and create a positive playing environment for all athletes. Even when no one is watching, displaying good sportsmanship helps players build personal integrity, something crucial for personal development. Even for older college and adult players it is important that you keep maintaining good sportsmanship values throughout your tennis career.  Not only will it serve you in the long run, but your example can also serve as inspiration for the next generation of tennis players.

How Sportsmanship Shapes Character: Off the Court

The various character traits that good sportsmanship helps foster are useful not only on the tennis court but also in off the court situations as well such as school, work, or interpersonal relationships. Acts like being gracious in victory and defeat can be translated into a strong positive mindset in both school and the workplace. A person who is empathic and gracious on the tennis court is one who can maturely handle small setbacks and move forward. Accountability is also beneficial in the real world given that the same strength of character which promotes honest line calling can improve pride and commitment in one’s work, something which can help in the school and at one’s job. Together the values one learns playing tennis help shape players into well-rounded, more competent individuals who can better excel both in the classroom and in the workplace.

The sportsmanship etiquette that one learns playing tennis is not something that you turn off when you step off the court. It’s a standard that you carry with you always. Similarly the values you learn playing tennis are not solely useful in an academic or professional setting. Crucially, these character traits and values can be useful in maintaining interpersonal relationships, a skill necessary for everybody regardless of age. Interpersonal relationships are delicate, precious things which can be easily broken in wrong circumstances and which require care to maintain. Luckily, the values of empathy, accountability, grace, and positivity fostered in the sport of tennis are well suited to caring for interpersonal relationships. Empathy helps a player understand how others are feeling, while accountability and grace allow them to recognize when a mistake might have been made thus allowing it to be rectified. These are essential components of healthy, long-lasting relationships.

A powerful example of this comes from fifth grader Thomas Gamble, a top junior player from Newport Beach, who found that the principles he learned on the court could be used in real-life. Thomas reflected on how tennis prepared him for challenges beyond the sport: “playing tennis taught me how to stay calm when things get tough, and be kind—even when I really want to win. I try to always be respectful to my opponents. I try to do the same with my family and friends off the court, always be respectful, always try my hardest, and keep calm when things don’t go my way.” His story illustrates how one can see that the attitude of respect, empathy and perseverance fostered by playing tennis can be easily transferred to real-world situations.

Conclusion

Sportsmanship is not just a tradition in tennis, it is a cornerstone of what makes the sport meaningful. More than a set of rules or expected behaviors, it is the heartbeat of the game, ensuring that competition remains fair, respectful, and uplifting for all involved. When players embrace sportsmanship, they elevate the match beyond winning or losing, creating an environment rooted in integrity and mutual respect.

However, it is important to recognize that the benefits good sportsmanship imparts do not stop when you put down your racket. The values it instills, compassion, transparency, and fortitude are not confined to rallies and scoreboards. They are life skills that shape how players navigate challenges in school, thrive in the workplace, and build strong, healthy relationships. These traits foster resilience, maturity, and a sense of purpose that serve individuals long after the final point is played. In this way, tennis becomes more than just a sport. It becomes a catalyst for personal growth and a training ground for character. Every handshake at the net, every honest call, and every moment of composure under pressure contributes to something far greater: the development of individuals who carry the spirit of the game with them wherever they go.