Last week we examined a philosophical update that the USTA recently made to the Point Penalty and Suspension Point System. Starting in 2023, a player may receive Point Penalties and Suspension Points for the off-court behavior of a person associated with the player. This week we will discuss a few of the ramifications that could arise from the behavior of their entourage as well as increased scope for Suspension Points on the player themself. This rounds out the highlights in the “Summary of Important Changes” section in the forward of the 2023 Edition of the Friend at Court.
A player may now be defaulted from a match due to flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct of a person associated with them. Previously, immediate default for flagrant violations bypassing the escalated Point Penalty System only applied to behavior by the player.
USTA Regulation IV.D.7. Flagrant violations now allows a player to be defaulted immediately for the flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct of a person associated with a player.
Excerpt from the “Summary of Important Changes” for 2023 Edition of Friend at Court
Additionally, the Suspension Point System expanded the scope of application of the rule to include “all forms of communication, including online medium and otherwise.” Essentially this update brings behavior on social media and any electronic form of communication into scope for suspension points.
USTA Regulation IV.F.1. Suspension Point System now applies the system to misconduct by persons associated with a player. It also now applies to “all forms of communication, including online medium and otherwise.”
Excerpt from the “Summary of Important Changes” for 2023 Edition of Friend at Court
Finally, there were several updates to the definition of the Suspension Points associated with Unsportsmanlike Conduct. These changes are fully documented in Table 17 which lists the total number of Suspension Points that are assessed for various scenarios.
Some of those changes reflect the potential for Suspension Points due to the behavior of a person associated with a player. Additionally, this table also picks up the “all forms of communication including online medium or otherwise” clause into scope. The final significant change in the 2023 Friend at Court expands the scope for Suspension Points to include acts committed while still in the playing area but not during a match.
Unsportsmanlike conduct or inappropriate conduct by a player or person associated with a player while the player is still in the playing area but not during a match, if the conduct would have resulted in a code violation had it occurred during the match
Unsportsmanlike conduct or inappropriate conduct off court by a player or person associated with a player, regardless of location or medium. This includes, but is not limited to, conduct at tournament sites, tournament activities, hotels or other housing, and all forms of communication, including online medium or otherwise
Flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct or flagrant inappropriate conduct, by a player or person associated with a player, regardless of location or medium. This includes, but is not limited to, conduct at tournament sites, tournament activities, hotels or other housing, and all forms of communication, including online medium or otherwise
It is sad that the Suspension Point system is a necessary part of the sport. It is even sadder that it is actively in use and that recent events likely prompted these updates to the Regulations. Tennis is supposed to be fun. Suspension Points are needed to keep it that way for the vast majority of players who never have to familiarize themselves with this part of the rules.
