Ethics in Youth Tennis: Examining the Tennis Climate and Interpersonal Factors Associated with Junior Players' Values and Sportsmanship.

This article investigates how the tennis climate and interpersonal factors influence junior tennis players' values and sportsmanship, focusing on a sample of 34 intermediate- to advanced-level players from Southern California. Findings indicate that both junior players and their parents highly value moral and competence aspects of tennis, such as fair play and skill development, while coaches emphasize reinforcing good sportsmanship more than prioritizing winning. However, higher Universal Tennis Ratings (UTR)—a global tennis rating system used for player assessment and college recruitment—were negatively associated with players' and parents' moral values and a learning/enjoyment-oriented climate, suggesting that competitive pressures linked to UTR may undermine ethical behavior. Qualitative data reveal junior players' appreciation for integrity in opponents and frustration with cheating and poor sportsmanship, alongside calls for stricter enforcement by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The study highlights the significant role of parents over coaches in shaping junior players' values and recommends that tennis organizations reconsider the emphasis on UTR to better balance competitive success with ethical development.