The USTA Creates Sportsmanship Award

Written by: Staff on 17th July 2012

The USTA Creates Sportsmanship Award |

The USTA announced the creation of the “US Open Sportsmanship Award” which will be presented to one male and one female professional tennis player who best demonstrates excellence in sportsmanship throughout the Emirates Airline US Open Series and the US Open. The award will be presented to each winner during the 2012 US Open.

“We believe that great sports make a sport great,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Jon Vegosen. “Professional athletes in our sport are viewed as role models by fans across the globe. The US Open is a great opportunity to recognize the positive impact these athletes can make in promoting excellence in sportsmanship through the game of tennis.”

Under Vegosen’s leadership, the USTA started a Sportsmanship Committee in 2011. Its charge is to “educate and inspire youngsters and their parents to develop and exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship and an attitude of fair play and mutual respect on and off the tennis court. Underlying the charge is the ethical imperative that fairness is more important than winning.”

The US Open Sportsmanship Award winners will be selected by a committee made up of the following individuals:

Todd Martin, Chair

USTA Board Member, former world No. 4 and two-time Grand Slam singles finalist, former Olympian, member of 1995 U.S. Davis Cup title-winning team, and winner of several sportsmanship awards, including two ATP Sportsmanship Awards

Mary Carillo

International sportscaster, former French Open mixed doubles champion, and President of USTA Serves

Matt Cronin

Tennis reporter and columnist

Mary Joe Fernandez

Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, former world No. 4, noted tennis television commentator, and U.S. Fed Cup Captain and 2012 U.S. Olympic Coach

Lars Rosene

Past President, USTA/Texas Section, and Vice Chairman of the USTA Sportsmanship Committee

Chanda Rubin

USTA Board Member, former world No. 6 and Australian Open semifinalist, former U.S. Fed Cup team member and Olympian, and winner of several sportsmanship awards.

Jon Vegosen, Honorary Chair

USTA Chairman of the Board and President

Eligibility requirements for potential winners include participating in at least two Series tournaments, as well as the 2012 US Open. In addition to a handsome trophy, each US Open Sportsmanship Award winner will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

The USTA will promote this new award at all Series tournaments and in advance of the 2012 US Open by creating a “Great Sport” brochure, along with in-stadium messaging for fans and tennis players.

Topics: ATP Sportsmanship Awards, Chanda Rubin, Jon Vegosen, Lars Rosene, Mary Carillo, Mary Joe Fernandez, Matt Cronin, Todd Martin, US Open 2012, USTA tennis news