Sportsmanship Rules

USTA Pacific Northwest Code of Ethics

Click here for a Sportsmanship Complaint form (PDF file).

The USTA Pacific Northwest wishes to remind players of the accepted rules and proper conduct, both on and off the courts. Players should be familiar with the Rules of Tennis, Friend at Court, and the Code of Conduct. Copies are available from the USTA Pacific Northwest office.

1. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP will be expected at all times on and off the courts.

a. Cheating will not be tolerated.
b. Throwing of racquets, banging of racquets on court, foul language or loud outbursts are not allowed.
c. Avoid mannerisms and movements to distract your opponent or the play of others on nearby courts.
d. Accept calls of linesmen and umpires graciously.
e. Award questionable calls to your opponent when competing without benefit of linesmen and umpires.
f. Adhere to the rules of continuous play; stalling will not be condoned.
g. Coaching during progress of the match is prohibited, except between second and third sets.
h. Be on time for all matches. Check in at tournament desk 15 minutes before match time.

2. COURTESY and thoughtfulness of others will be expected at all times on and off the court.

a. Win and lose graciously.
b. At the conclusion of the match, shake hands and congratulate opponent.
c. At the conclusion of the match, thank umpire and linesmen for calling the match.
d. Avoid criticism of opponents and officials.

Failure to abide by these rules of behavior after one warning by the umpires or official referee or his designee, and penalties under the point system adopted by the USTA/PNW will result in default from the match or tournament.

Infractions of the Code of Ethics will be reported to the Sportsmanship Committee of the USTA/PNW and may result in loss of membership privileges, including playing tournaments and ranking.

DRESS CODE: Shoes with tennis soles are required on all tennis courts. Proper attire shall generally mean clothing manufactured for tennis. See entry forms for specific sponsoring club rules.

ALL-WHITE DRESS CODE: The Seattle Tennis Club and Canada

All entrants (including juniors) playing in tournaments at the Seattle Tennis Club and in Canada must conform to these regulations:

1. White clothes manufactured for tennis; shirts must be worn at all times.
2. Colored trim is permitted but no overall colored pattern is allowed. Thus pinstriped outfits are not permitted.
3. Headbands and sweatbands may be colored.
4. Hats and scarves shall be white with colored trim allowed.
5. The ONLY exceptions to the basic white rule are the warm-up suit manufactured for tennis.
6. Shoes and socks shall be white with color trim allowed.
7. Sweaters shall be white with colored trim allowed. NOTE: Although tops of colored warm-up suits may be worn, colored sweaters, even if tennis sweaters are NOT permitted.

Sportsmanship & Discipline Rules, Regulations, and Guidelines

1. PREAMBLE
The following are the rules, regulations and/or guidelines (hereinafter referred to as "Rules") for sportsmanship and discipline in the USTA Pacific Northwest Section (USTA/PNW).

2. SPORTSMANSHIP COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED
There shall be and hereby is established as a standing committee of the USTA/PNW a Sportsmanship Committee. The Committee and its Chairperson shall be appointed by the President of the USTA/PNW after consulting with the USTA/PNW Board. The term of such member's membership on the Sportsmanship committee shall be established by the USTA/PNW Board.

3. DEFINITIONS AND DELEGATION
(a) "Chairperson": as used herein, the term "Chairperson" shall mean the Chairperson of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee.

(b) "Shall", "Preferred", "May",: As used herein, the term "shall" makes mandatory the matter(s) recited. As used herein, when a matter is "preferred", the matter is not mandatory, but is desired. As used herein, the term "may" means that the action is discretionary.

(c) Authority of USTA/PNW Officers: As used herein, any authority, duty, right of responsibility granted or delegated to the Chairperson of the sportsmanship Committee is also granted and delegated to, and may be used by, any Area Vice-President, the President, the Sectional Delegate, the Treasurer, the Secretary and/or the Executive Director of the USTA/PNW.

(d) Delegation by Sportsmanship Committee Chairperson: Any authority, duty, right or responsibility granted or delegated to the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee may also be delegated by the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee to such other persons as the Chairperson shall designate.

(e) "USTA/PNW Board": As used herein, the "USTA/PNW Board" shall include all Area Vice-Presidents and the USTA/PNW President, Sectional Delegate, Treasurer, Secretary, and Past President.

4. PERSONS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE
(a) All Persons: Any person, involved in any USTA/PNW activity or sanctioned tournament, including but not limited to a player, spectator, parent, coach, umpire or tournament official, whether from within or outside of the USTA/PNW, shall be subject to and within the jurisdiction of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee and Sportsmanship and disciplinary Rules.

(b) USTA Referral: A disciplinary complaint made concerning a nationally ranked player (which if found to be true would affect the player status of said player) should preferably be referred to the Grievance Committee of the USTA. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the USTA/PNW from taking disciplinary action against such a player.

(c) USTA Notification: As requested in the Minutes of the USTA Grievance Committee meeting held 4 September 1986 for the purpose of developing a national grievance clearing house, the results of any decision concerning discipline should be sent to: USTA Grievance Committee; USTA; 70 West Red Oak Ln; White Plains, NY 10604; 914/696-7000.

5. SPORTSMANSHIP COMPLAINT(S) TO BE MADE TO SPORTSMANSHIP CHAIRPERSON
(a) Complaint Made to Chairperson: Any and all complaints and/or allegations concerning discipline shall be made to the Chairperson of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee.

(b) Complaint in Writing: Any and all complaints and/or allegations concerning discipline should preferably be made in writing to the Chairperson of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee. This section shall not prevent the Chairperson from acting upon an oral complaint and/or allegation.

(c) Complaint Form: In the back of this book is a form which may be used when making a disciplinary complaint.

6. INVESTIGATION
(a) Chairperson to Contact Alleged Violator: Upon receipt of a complaint and/or allegation regarding discipline, the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee shall contact the person alleged to have committed a violation of USTA/PNW or USTA Rules. Contact and/or communication with a person alleged to have violated a USTA/PNW Rule should preferably be made in writing on USTA/PNW stationery. This section shall not prohibit the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee from communication orally with a person who has been alleged to have committed a violation of the USTA/PNW or USTA Rules.

(b) Notification by Certified Mail: Correspondence sent by the Chairperson of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee shall preferably be sent by certified mail. Copies of said correspondence should preferably be sent to the USTA/PNW Board, the Executive Director of the USTA/PNW and the members of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee.

(c) Contents of Contact by Chairperson: When contacting a person alleged to have committed a violation of the USTA/PNW Rules, there should preferably be included:
(1) A description of the alleged violation including, but not limited to, dates, names, times, and tournaments, etc.; and
(2) A request for a response to the complaint and/or allegations; and
(3) A date by which a reply should be received by the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee from the alleged violator; and
(4) An explanation of the range of possible sanctions and/or penalties that may or can be issued against a person having violated USTA/PNW Rules (See Paragraph 12); and
(5) A copy of the complaint and/or allegation, if the Chairperson receives a written complaint and/or allegation.

(d) Investigation: The Chairperson of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee or his delegate may investigate any complaint coming to the Sportsmanship Committee's attention. The investigation may include (but is not limited to) contacting the alleged violator, witnesses, tournament chairperson, tournament committee persons, spectators, or the complainant.

7. COPIES
Copies Distributed: Copies of correspondence concerning disciplinary matters and copies of any and all Complaint(s) and/or allegation(s) regarding disciplinary matters as well as any reply(ies) received thereto should preferably also be sent to the USTA/PNW Board, the Executive Director and the members of the sportsmanship Committee of the USTA/PNW. Copies may also be distributed to the members of USTA/PNW or USTA committees and/or any other interested person. As used herein, "interested person" includes witnesses, tournament chairpersons, tournament committee personnel, spectators or other persons with knowledge or information concerning the alleged violation or knowledge or information concerning the person alleged to violate the rules.

8. REPLY BY ALLEGED VIOLATOR
(a) Response to Chairperson: A person alleged to have committed a violation of the USTA/PNW Rules shall respond to the Chairperson of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee. Such response shall:
(1) Admit or deny the allegations contained in the complaint; and
(2) Give a detailed account and description of the event surrounding the alleged violation of the disciplinary rules.
(b) Response in Writing: The response from a person alleged to have violated USTA/PNW Rules should preferably be made in writing.

9. AUTHORITY OF THE SPORTSMANSHIP CHAIRPERSON HEARING
(a) General Authority: The general authority of the Sportsmanship Committee shall be and hereby is vested in its Chairperson. The Chairperson shall have the right to act in the name of the Sportsmanship committee. The Chairperson should preferably, from time to time, consult with members of the Sportsmanship Committee when taking action upon disciplinary matters brought to the Sportsmanship Chairperson's attention. The Chairperson's consultation with Sportsmanship Committee members may be exercised by distribution of copies of disciplinary matters to members of the sportsmanship Committee as more particularly described in Paragraph 7.

(b) Reprimand/Fine/Probation: Upon receipt of a reply from the person alleged to have violated USTA/PNW Rules or upon expiration of the date allowed for a response by the Chairperson, whichever is earlier, the Chairperson may, if appropriate:
(1) Dismiss the case, or
(2) Issue a private reprimand, or
(3) Issue a public reprimand, or
(4) Issue a fine, or
(5) Place the player of probation, or
(6) Suspend a person from play for a period not in excess of 90 days.

The Chairperson's disciplinary action shall be subject to review by the USTA/PNW Board as provided by Paragraph 10, infra. The decision of the Sportsmanship Chairperson shall be effective upon the date of its issuance unless otherwise provided by the Sportsmanship Chairperson. The decision of the Sportsmanship Chairperson may be stayed by the Sportsmanship Chairperson or a member of the USTA/PNW Board pending review by the USTA/PNW Board.

(c) Hearing: At the discretion of the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee or upon the request of a person alleged to have committed a violation of the USTA/PNW Rules, a hearing may be held. At such hearing, the person alleged to have committed a violation of the USTA/PNW Rules shall have a right to appear personally, to be represented by a representative of his/her choosing (including an attorney at law), to present testimony or other evidence as he/she may deem desirable. Evidence may be presented in either oral or written form. Evidence may include the reports of and statements made by others. Those witnesses presenting oral testimony may be cross-examined. Hearings shall be conducted and supervised by the USTA/PNW Disciplinary Chairperson or his/her designate. Upon the request of any interested party, such a hearing may be tape recorded. In the discretion of the person conducting the hearing, the hearing may be closed to the public.

(d) Hearing with USTA/PNW Board: At the discretion of the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee or at the discretion of a member of the USTA/PNW Board, the hearing referred to in Subparagraph (c) above or such other hearings to be held, may be held, in the first instance, with the USTA/PNW Board.

(e) Special Meetings: At the direction and supervision of the Chairperson or his/her designate, special meetings of the Sportsmanship Committee may also be called, including, but not limited to, telephone conference calls and/or consent to action by a majority of the Sportsmanship Committee members.

10. AUTHORITY OF USTA/PNW BOARD
(a) Final Authority: The final authority concerning any and all disciplinary matters shall reside with the USTA/PNW Board. Decisions shall be made by the USTA/PNW Board by a majority of those members present and voting.

(b) Confirmation/Rejection of Chairperson's Recommendations: The USTA/PNW Board shall take up, discuss and decide any and all matters brought to them concerning discipline and shall confirm, ratify, approve, disapprove and/or modify the decisions and recommendation of the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee. A decision of the Sportsmanship Committee Chairperson shall be effective when issued except as otherwise provided by the Sportsmanship Chairperson. Pending review by the USTA/PNW Board, The decision of the Sportsmanship Chairperson may be stayed by the Sportsmanship Chairperson or by a member of the USTA/PNW Board.

(c) Review: When the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee issues a sanction, the person alleged to have committed a violation of the USTA/PNW/USTA Rules shall have a right to have the decision of the Chairperson reviewed by the USTA/PNW Board. Notification of this right of review shall be given by the Chairperson to the alleged violator. The manner of perfecting review by the USTA/PNW Board shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson. The Chairperson of the USTA/PNW Sportsmanship Committee may, on his or her own initiative or in the first instance, have a matter taken up and considered by the USTA/PNW Board, in which case such shall be the "review" provided for in this subparagraph.

(d) Consideration by USTA/PNW Board: Any disciplinary action taken by the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee and any review of actions taken by the Chairperson of the Sportsmanship Committee by the USTA/PNW Board should preferably be considered and taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the USTA/PNW Board, or at such other time as is scheduled.

(e) Special Meetings: Matters concerning discipline may be taken up, considered, discussed and decided at any special meeting of the USTA/PNW Board, including, but not limited to, telephone conference calls and/or consent to action by a majority of the USTA/PNW Board.

11. SOURCES OF SPORTSMANSHIP RULES
USTA/PNW: Any rule, regulation and/or guideline promulgated by the USTA/Pacific Northwest Section or the United States Tennis Association may be a proper subject for discipline. Any conduct which involves a USTA/PNW activity or sanctioned tournament and which adversely reflects upon the USTA/PNW, the USTA or the game of tennis may also be a proper subject for discipline.
The Rules, Regulations and/or Guidelines referred to above include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) The USTA/PNW Code of Ethics;
(2) The USTA/PNW Ethics for Tennis Parents;
(3) The USTA/PNW Dress Code;
(4) The USTA/PNW Age Regulation;
(5) The USTA/PNW General Junior and Adult Ranking Regulations;
(6) The USTA/PNW Rules for Junior Participation in "Championship" & "A" Flight Play;
(7) The USTA/PNW Minimum Requirements for Ranking;
(8) The USTA/PNW Junior Ranking guide for Tournament Directors;
(9) The USTA/PNW Criteria for Selecting PNW Juniors for Out-of-Section tournaments;
(10) The USTA/PNW Housing Regulations;
(11) The USTA/PNW rules for Sanction Tournaments;
(12) The USTA/PNW rules for Tie-breakers;
(13) The USTA Standing Orders;
(14) The USTA Standards of Conduct;
(15) The USTA Ranking Regulations;
(16) The USTA Tournament Regulations;
(17) The USTA National Junior Tennis League Rules;
(18) The USTA Senior Doubles Rules;
(19) The USTA Point Penalty System Rules;
(20) The USTA "Code of conduct" Summary;
(21) The USTA On Court Rules;
(22) The Code (USTA);
(23) The USTA Junior Tournament Manual;
(24) The USTA Guide for Competitive Junior Tennis Playing;
(25) The USTA "Easy On-Easy Off" Rules;
(26) The USTA Skill Tests and Award Rules;
(27) The USTA Handbook for Junior Tennis Tournament Players;
(28) The USTA Handbook for Chairmen of Junior Tennis Tournaments;
(29) The USTA Tennis Court Rules;
(30) The USTA Rules of Tennis;

(a) Failure to Pay Fine: A person may be further disciplined for failure to pay a fine imposed upon him/her.
(b) Failure to Comply with Sanction: A person may be further disciplined for his/her failure to comply with any other sanction imposed upon him/her. A person may also be further disciplined for his/her failure to comply with any term or condition imposed as a sanction, including but not limited to a term or condition of probation.

12. DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
Accumulation of ten (10) or more Suspension Points within a twelve (12) calendar month period shall result in suspension from eligibility to play within the USTA/PNW and/or USTA for a period ranging from four (4) weeks to twelve (12) weeks as determined by the Sportsmanship Chairperson subject to review by the USTA/PNW Board. If a violation of the rules of the USTA/PNW is found to have occurred, the person violating such rules may:
(a) Be privately reprimanded;
(b) Be publicly reprimanded;
(c) Be placed on a period of probation;
(d) Be suspended from play within the USTA/PNW for a defined period of time;
(e) Be suspended from play within the USTA/PNW for an indefinite period of time;
(f) Lose or be suspended from ranking privileges for a specified or unspecified period of time;
(g) Lose or be suspended from sponsorship;
(h) Be suspended from spectating at a USTA/PNW sponsored or affiliated event for a definite or an indefinite period of time;
(i) Be fined in amount not to exceed $1,000.;
(j) Be required to perform some community and/or public service for a club, tournament, USTA/PNW or for the betterment of tennis (and the service required to be performed and be required to be performed without charge); and/or
(k) Be disciplined in such other manner as may be just and appropriate under the circumstances.

13. PUBLICITY POLICY
Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the investigation, actions, decisions and results of the Sportsmanship Committee and of disciplinary matters shall not be publicly disseminated until after the matter has been finally adjudicated. After the matter has been finally adjudicated, the actions, investigation and/or results of the Sportsmanship committee or of disciplinary matters may be publicly disseminated. As used herein, the term "final adjudication" includes the general dissemination of information about a disciplinary matter and includes publication of a disciplinary matter in the USTA/PNW Newsletter or national tennis magazines/publications. "Public dissemination" does not include the dissemination of materials as required by these rules, including, but not limited to, the making of a complaint, the investigation of a complaint, the distribution of copies of materials and hearings concerning a complaint.

14. POLICY ON NON-SUFFICIENT FUND CHECKS
A person may become a subject of discipline if he/she fails to pay and honor a check, draft or instrument made payable to a club and/or tournament for the payment of fees. Any official, club or tournament receiving a check draft or instrument which is not honored, may report such to the Sportsmanship Committee Chairperson for investigation and discipline. However, at the discretion of the Sportsmanship Committee Chairperson, the Chairperson may require that club and/or tournament exhaust reasonable efforts to collect the dishonored check, draft or instrument before instituting disciplinary actions.

15. EXHAUST ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES
All members of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and USTA Pacific Northwest Section (USTA/PNW), by applying for and maintaining membership in the USTA and the USTA/PNW, and by accepting membership therein, agree to use the procedure set forth in these Rules on any controversy or complaint which the member may have against any other member of the USTA or USTA/PNW arising out of or involving conduct of the member as an officer, employee, contractor, volunteer or otherwise, which results from the participation of the member in any and all activities of the USTA or the USTA/PNW, and to fully exhaust the administrative remedies of the USTA/PNW and the Rules before utilizing, commencing, maintaining or conducting any court, agency or other forum to adjust the grievance or complaint.

16. AMENDMENT
These Rules, Regulations and Guidelines for USTA/PNW Sportsmanship and Discipline may be amended from time to time by a majority vote of the USTA/PNW Board present and voting.