I seem to recall that at some point there was a thread (or at least a post) about some tennis fans in the Big XII (I forget which school) who were taking pride in being hostile to opponents at matches. I haven't seen such conduct at Rice, but apparently it -- as well as other conduct by players and coaches -- has been enough of an issue to prompt a letter to the college tennis coaches from Dr Timothy Russell, Executive Director of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

I admire Dr Russell's call to all participants to be true to the best nature of this (or any) sport. And as a recreational tennis player, I especially appreciate the following point --not just the rule, but Dr Russell's exhortation regarding it:

Quote:(6) Section I.B.2 of the ITA Regulations (Calls in Matches) clearly states: Opponent gets benefit of the doubt. Whenever a player is in doubt he shall [i.e., MUST] make the call in favor of his opponent. Balls should only be called 'out' when there is a space visible between the ball and the line."
...
In reference to #6, from early in our tennis careers, we have been taught not to take a point that we don't deserve. I see no reason to deviate from that timeless principle.

I wish more players would remember that: "I'm not sure" doesn't mean "let's replay it" or "my best estimate is" or "how did you see it?"
It means "you win" -- full stop.

Here is the full text of the letter:

Quote:April 6, 2016

Dear Coaches:

Tennis possesses a long and important history as a sport of great integrity, played with the utmost attention to the highest levels of sportsmanship. As together we work to bring increased levels of excitement and relevance to the college tennis game, amidst today's culture of changing standards, we must (and will) maintain a rigorous adherence to the principled values of honor and fair play in the sport we love.

It has become clear to me that across the landscape of college tennis we are no longer competing on a level playing field (court), whereby all matches (no matter where the location, what conference, and/or division) are being played under the same conditions and faithful devotion to our rules (both the letter, and, more importantly, the spirit of the law).

While, yes, our rules are important, most important is our living out, individually and collectively, high ideals, recognizable by all (participants, fans, and supporters of college tennis). I certainly understand that rules (and laws) can have gray areas and ambiguity. That said, I remember that in 1964 Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart tried to explain pornography, obscenity, by saying, "I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced . . . but I know it when I see it." Those who attend college tennis matches know good sportsmanship when they see it, and (sadly) when the opposite is true.

Drilling down from lofty rhetorical theories, the ITA Rules and Regulations are quite clear, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) "All college match play will follow the principles set out in 'The Code' . . ."
(2) Principle No. 1 of "The Code" states: "Courtesy is expected. Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy."
(3) Section I. K. of the ITA Regulations (the Coaches Code of Conduct) states: "The conduct of coaches before, during, and after any competition must be exemplary. Any deviation from this standard shall [i.e., legally that means must] result in the following penalties with the understanding that all coaching penalties are cumulative for the entire coaching staff (Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Volunteer Coach or a player acting as a Coach) and apply to the whole match - singles and doubles."
(4) Section II. B. of the ITA Regulations (General Rules), No. 7 Home coach is responsible for spectator conduct states: "The home coach shall [i.e., again, this means MUST] make sure that the behavior of spectators remains fair and non-abusive. Failure of the coach to ensure proper behavior shall [i.e., MUST] result in the application of the ITA Point Penalty System against the home team and in extreme cases, forfeiture of the match."
(5) Section I. F. 3. Restrictions on Players and Spectators: Harassment of players prohibited states: "Team members and their spectators shall not [i.e., MUST not] harass opposing team players."
(6) Section I.B.2 of the ITA Regulations (Calls in Matches) clearly states: Opponent gets benefit of the doubt. Whenever a player is in doubt he shall [i.e., MUST] make the call in favor of his opponent. Balls should only be called 'out' when there is a space visible between the ball and the line."

In reference to #5 above, it is clear in discussing the interpretation of our rules with top ITA officials throughout the fall and spring that players and spectators can cheer for their team and their team's players, but cannot harass the opposing team and the opposing team's players. Very specifically, for example, opposing fans cannot harass a server while that player is serving, or between points of that server's serving game.

In reference to #6, from early in our tennis careers, we have been taught not to take a point that we don't deserve. I see no reason to deviate from that timeless principle.

Please know that I am sending a letter to all ITA officials instructing them to enforce our ITA rules - all of our rules - especially those cited above.

I am asking you as coaches to do your part - per the rules and, more importantly, as leaders in setting the highest standard for our sport and student-athletes and not using our rules as the "least common denominator." Once again, please embody the "spirit" of our rules.

I am asking you to focus on the highest levels of your calling - as teachers of our youth . . . helping them learn life's most profound lessons. Please convey the right messages to our student-athletes, about fair play amidst intense competition, and not simply a "win-at-all costs" mentality. I understand competition. I am, personally, very highly competitive. Yes, winning is important, but not at the expense of the integrity of our sport and the core essence of the moral high ground of higher education. We owe it to our teams and students and fans and supporters to maintain the integrity of our sport. It is the perception of many that some matches are actually being "stolen" and that some players are now being asked to take the court at a competitive disadvantage because their coaches have set a higher standard for their team's acceptable behavior. Friends, such a path for our sport is becoming (rapidly), indeed, a slippery slope . . . requiring an immediate course correction back to the "true north" of a reliably acceptable moral compass for our community.

Please be clear, many of our/your fans are complaining about the sad new trend towards "bad behavior" in college tennis. I have personally watched fans leave your matches! I have been "called on the carpet" by high-level donors at banquets this year, where I have been a guest and speaker. People are watching, and not liking what they are seeing in our game. We cannot ask them to support college tennis if the underpinnings of our competition appear to be unethical. As the CEO of the ITA I cannot go out into wider communities to raise the profile of our sport and ask for increased levels of support for college tennis in a toxic environment amidst some aura of apparent moral decay.

Please know that Erica Perkins Jasper and I have asked our ITA Rules Committee to study this serious situation and offer their specific recommendations for moving forward together. Even before they render their thoughts, I believe that it is incumbent upon me as your leader to make my very strong personal feelings and beliefs known to you.

My final "asks" are these:

(1) Please re-read our ITA Rules and Regulations;
(2) Please make our ITA Rules and Regulations required reading for your players;
(3) Please spend time in self-reflection pondering what on-court competition should be in college tennis, and ask your players to do the same;
(4) Please discuss the renewed expectations regarding the integrity and expected sportsmanship in college tennis with your players; let them know that they can expect to see a renewed enforcement of our rules by our officials. Your players must understand that what has become the "norm" for some will no longer be tolerated.

Finally, and very importantly, let's add a sport-wide post-match team handshake after each and every match. Hockey, as rough and tumble as it is, can do this. Following the dramatic end to the Division I basketball National Championship, it happened. Let's see that it happens at the end of all ITA matches.

Many thanks for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Timothy Russell, Ph. D.
Chief Executive Officer

Rice tennis matches have been pretty rowdy this year.

(04-07-2016 11:10 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice tennis matches have been pretty rowdy this year.

What is the address for the UH Men's tennis coach? Oops, they don't have a team. Men's sports in retreat; baseball, track and field, swimming and diving, soccer, tennis, golf. If the sport is not football or basketball forget about it.