FOCUSED ON

SPORTMANSHIP, PATHWAYS AND ITF WORLD TENNIS NUMBERS

Tennis is now more fun, more personalized and more engaging with a renewed focus on sportsmanship, the new USTA Junior Playbook and International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Number (WTN). Coaches and professionals are also focusing on these areas to help support developmentally appropriate programming and level-based play, while parents and players have access to additional information and tools to support their tennis journey.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship includes respecting opponents, playing fair and supporting a fun environment. The USTA provides resources to ensure positive play experiences and good sportsmanship. Whether before, during or after a match, players have many opportunities to show good sportsmanship. Calling balls in or out is one of the hardest parts of a mostly self-regulated sport, and how players and parents react to those line calls is important. For parents, reinforcing positive actions and attitudes toward the players will go a long way in emphasizing good sportsmanship.

USTA’s American Development Model

The United States Tennis Association's (USTA) American Development Model (ADM) is a comprehensive framework designed to help young players develop their skills, achieve their potential and enjoy the sport of tennis. The ADM is based on a long-term athlete development approach, which recognizes that different age groups have different needs and goals. This approach emphasizes player development over winning at all costs and focuses on creating fun experiences for junior tennis players. The ADM provides a clear and structured pathway for players to progress from introductory programs to high-performance competition. The competition pathway is designed to ensure that players develop the necessary skills and experience at each stage of their development to succeed at the next level. The ADM encourages players to compete at appropriate levels of play based on their age, ability and experience, which helps to build confidence, motivation and a love of the sport.