Is Cheating and Gamesmanship Becoming the Norm in Tennis — and What Can We Do About It?
Competitive tennis has always been vulnerable to cheating and gamesmanship. At most levels, matches are self‑umpired, and players are responsible for their own line calls and conduct. After attending the Tamworth Capital of Country Easter Open (TCCEO), I left feeling disappointed by the behaviour modelled by several experienced adult players. Two matches in particular highlighted a “win at all costs” attitude that seems increasingly common. Match 1: In a Men’s Tier 2 singles semi‑final, an experienced player in his late 30s repeatedly used gamesmanship against a 14‑year‑old junior. This included aggressive challenges to line calls, calling lets where none occurred, claiming he was not ready to return serve, and repeatedly questioning the score in a way that undermined the junior’s confidence. After the match, I verbally reported the behaviour to the referee. Match 2: In the Men’s Tier 1 singles final, a group of experienced coaches and players positioned themselves near a baseline and...