Courtesy is Expected (Principle 1 of The Code)

The first principle in the current version of The Code is striking in its brevity.

Courtesy is expected. Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy.

USTA Friend at Court 2025 , The Code, Principle 1

At just two sentences, it may seem like not much is being said. In reality, the opposite is true. When language is pared down to its simplest form, it often signals that the idea is so fundamental, so universally understood, that it requires little elaboration. By leading The Code with this crisp declaration, the editors emphasize that courtesy is not an optional flourish layered on top of competition but rather the foundation that allows the sport to function. Without courtesy, tennis breaks down. Matches cannot be fairly contested if opponents don’t respect one another, behave responsibly, and cooperate in the basic rhythms of play.

However, it is worth noting that in 2001, the very same principle in the code was significantly more verbose.

Courtesy. Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy from all participants. Make tennis a fun game by praising your opponents’ good shots and by not:

• Conducting loud postmortems after points;
• Complaining about shots like lobs and drop shots;
• Embarrassing a weak opponent by being overly gracious or condescending;
• Losing your temper, using vile language, throwing a racquet, or slamming a ball in anger; or
• Sulking when you are losing.

USTA Friend at Court 2001 , The Code, Principle 1

Here, the imperative to be courteous is supplemented with a list of what not to do. That specificity leaves little room for ambiguity, and for players new to competitive tennis, it provides a clear set of expectations.

Comparing the two versions of Principle 1 in isolation from the rest of the text in The Code could lead to the conclusion that much of the original guidance has been deleted. However, the reality is that it has simply been moved. The current edition of The Code distills the essence into that principle but retains most of the original ideas in the sportsmanship preface that we broke down last week. It is a telling editorial choice to separate the “what” from the “how.” The principles now aim for simplicity and memorability, while the sportsmanship preface provides the framework for defining what courtesy is.

When something is stated so simply, it underscores its importance. Courtesy is not one principle among many in tennis, but rather the bedrock upon which the rest of the game is built. Whether you prefer the detail of the 2001 edition or the stark clarity of today’s version, the message is unmistakable. Courtesy isn’t just expected—it is mandatory.

1. “The Code of Tennis“, Grimbsy Tennis Center Hosted Document, dated 1 January 1992.
2. Friend at Court: The Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations, USTA, 2025
3. Friend at Court: The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations, USTA, 2001. (Hardcopy.)