Tennis Sportsmanship - A Tennis Fundamental

Sportsmanship has been a cornerstone in the great game of tennis. Losing with grace is an important action in match play. Equally, winning modestly, cheerfully and generously is part of being a good sportsman.

Winning is the object of match play, but no credit goes to a man who does not win fairly and squarely. A victory is a defeat if it is other than fair. In striving to win, a participant should play to the last ounce of strength and the last scrap of his nerve. If you do so and lose, the better man won. If you fail to play hard, you rob your opponent of his right of beating your best. Be fair to both him and yourself. Respect the game of tennis. Play tennis for the game's sake. "The Play's the thing," and in match play a good defeat is far more creditable than a hollow victory.

In today's tennis, some pros feel as though they owe the public nothing. A favor is being granted just for their showing up. In reality the reverse is true. The player should always be grateful for the honor of playing. The player is obligated to give of his best, freely, willingly, and cheerfully, for only by so doing can he repay the honor paid him.

Remember the great fundamental of tennis - sportsmanship. Play it for the friends you make and the pleasure you and your opponent take from the game.